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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 1981)
Reagan mulls repeal of energy tax credits By KATHERINE MERRILL OI«w EmaraM Suggestions by Pres Ronald Reagan to unplug alternative energy tax credits are disturb ing two Oregon congressmen and several state energy of ficials One of them is Sen Bob Packwood, R-Ore Last year, Packwood worked on the tax credit portion of the Windfall Profits Tax Bill, enacted under the Carter administration Under that bill, residential users of wind, solar or geothermal equipment receive a 40-percent tax credit, and bu sinesses get a 25-percent sav ings "We are not a hundred per cent sure the administration Packwood is not sure what Reagan is planning Weaver ‘strongly opposed’ to repeal of tax credits means to repeal the tax credits enacted last year,’’ Packwood says, "but President Reagan did refer to a repeal of energy tax credits during a televised ad dress ” Etta Fielek, an aide to Packwood, says the finance committee may hold hearings on the issue but "the concept would originate in the White House " Pres Reagan is considering repealing the tax credits to make up for a shortage in revenue, Fielek says “It’s a way of collecting more taxes " Packwood pushed for the tax credits to reduce the United States' dependency on foreign oil, she says “They serve as an incentive for people to explore alternative energy ” Rep Jim Weaver, D-Ore, also is "strongly opposed to the repeals," according to one of weaver's press aides, David Jory Weaver doesn't want govern ment funds going to support nuclear power, synthetic fuels, or to the military to make up the shortfall, Jory says Instead, Weaver would like to see that money go toward alternative energy, Jory says Pres Reagan's proposal aims at across-the-board cuts to al ternative energy, especially residential weatherization and energy efficiency projects, he says Allen Brown, of the Solar Energy Center in Eugene, says the federal tax credit repeal would have a "devastating ef fect” on people installing solar systems But in the long run the high cost of imported oil and other synthetic fuels might drive people back to solar energy, he adds Brown is concerned that state credits also may be repealed, but John Kauffman of the Oregon Department of Energy says state repeals probably won't happen because the last legislature upheld the credits "I would say they're safe,” Kauffman says. "They've been a significant stimulus to residen tial users of solar energy.” While the federal credits ap ply only to active systems (those that use pumps), passive sys tems are less expensive, he adds The repeal of the credits would encourage the installa tion of passive equipment. According to Kauffman, tax credits have aided the expan sion of alternative energy in Oregon. Emergency loan limit rises By BRIAN BUBAK Ol the Emarato University students can now secure short term loans — commonly know as emergency loans — for up to S250, a $100 increase from last year s limit However, the maximum number of loans a student may take has been limited to two per year, said Edmond Vignoul, University financial aid director This ceiling was established partially because financial aid expects an increase in the total number of loans students will request this Studies Center opens doors The Environmental Studies Center is plan ning an open house for Thursday, from 1 to 5 pm in Condon 104 By hosting the open house Manager Jan Marshall says the center is trying to familiarize students with its services The studies center has been on campus for five years and we want to let the students know that we are here," Marshall says The center functions as a library and resource center for students, faculty and community members It maintains a collection of books, resource papers and environmental impact statements in what the staff calls a congenial atmosphere " “We get some students papers and a few articles that profs hold for reserve," says Mar shall The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 p m year, he explained More than 9,000 loans totaling over $16 million were granted last year, according to Larry Tergesen, administrative loan officer And with the economic outlook, the possibility of exhaust ing the loan fund is becoming an increasing threat, he stressed "There is the potential to run out of money" for a short period of time this year, Tergesen said But loans are repaid regularly and the resulting cash flow can supply the $910,000 fund — which is funded through private donations — with enough money to keep the program alive, he said Money is still available and the process is still "very, very simple,” Vignoul said Students mere ly fill out the one-page short-term loan application at the financial aid office and pick up their money at the cashiers window in Oregon Hall the next day No interviews No questions No credit checks — except to verify a student isn't behind on any payments to the University Terms of the loan, Vignoul says, are also simple $250 maximum loan, 90-day maximum loan period, and the applicant must be at least a half-time student who has paid tuition and fees Emergency loans are not designed to solve long term problems, but to take care of student's immediate cash flow needs, Vignol says Students use the loans for a variety of reasons — many of which are quite serious — but the purpose of the loan is not a qualification for getting it, he ex plains The use of the loan is "up to the student they can use it for what ever they choose " "It's unique that a state school has such a large loan fund," Tergesen said, adding that other state institutions do not have nearly as active a program Golden Spike Pizzeria and KUGN-FM invite you to attend 98 NIGHT! starts at 5 pm TONITE! 98c Pitchers of BEER, 98c Basket of CHICKEN, 98c OFF any Double-Size PIZZA, 98c Plate of SPAGHETTI TONITE, Oct. 28th 5 pm-Midnite ^KUGN-FM will broadcast live starting at 5 pm! Meet Bill Barrett, Bob Bosche and Rick Henricks! If you like, call ahead to order. 343-9318 DELTA VILLAGE 1101 Valley River Way OCTOBER FAIRE” Come to our traditional FALL OPEN HOUSE on October 30th & 31st HALLOWEEN DOOR PRIZES TREATS: Cider and Popcorn SPECIALS: Happy Bunches $2 99 Mini Bunches $1.25 Many Green Ribbon Plants 20% off ASK ABOUT ADDITIONAL BONUS $2 off ANY CASH & CARRY ITEM i Ffowt tbw The University Florist” 610 East 13th at Patterson
