The tax credit formerly known as BETC – (currently being referred to as the Energy Incentive Program or EIP) has a draft rules plan published by the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). A comment period on the rules draft just finished and permanent rules are anticipated sometime this Fall. The draft tax credit requirements for energy efficiency projects have a number of features that need – in NEEC’s view – to be addressed prior to their final publication. NEEC is concerned that a too long list of project evaluation criteria (and the burden they impose on applicants) needs to be streamlined. For example, the draft rules require applicants to estimate job creation numbers from the project, require information about the existence of an energy management business plan, as well as require assurances about system/facility operation over an unrealistically long time frame. Furthermore, NEEC remains concerned that the rules will require some building retrofit projects to meet unreasonable hurdles for LEED Platinum or Green Globes designations to quality for a tax credit. Formal comments on these and other rules issues have been submitted. A small working group has been designated by ODOE to assist them with final rule development and publication.