Any Oregon taxpayer may apply for the certification of a
pollution control facility to take relief from their Oregon tax liability. The
applicant and the facility shall be eligible under ORS
307.405,
315.304, and
468.150 to
468.190. The applicant shall
submit the application to the Department on the application form provided by
the Department.
(1) Application for
Preliminary Certification. An applicant may apply for preliminary certification
of a pollution control facility to determine if a future facility would meet
the certification requirements as set forth in OAR
340-016-0060. The applicant may
submit the optional preliminary application anytime before the construction of
the pollution control facility is complete. If the Commission issues a
preliminary certificate and if the applicant constructs the facility as
represented on the preliminary application and the preliminary certificate then
the facility shall meet the requirements as set forth in
340-016-0060. The preliminary
certification of a facility does not exempt the applicant from submitting a
timely application for final certification as set forth in section (2) of this
rule.
(2) Application for Final
Certification. The applicant shall submit all information, exhibits and
substantiating documents requested on the application for final certification.
The Department shall reject the application for final certification if the
applicant fails to submit the application:
(a) After the construction of the facility is
substantially complete and the facility is placed in service;
(b) Within one year after construction of the
facility is substantially completed; and
(c) On or before December 31, 2008.
(3) Complete Application. The
applicant shall submit to the Department an application as set forth in section
(1) or section (2) that is complete and ready to process. For an application to
be complete and ready to process, the applicant shall:
(a) Complete all required application
fields;
(b) Provide all appropriate
exhibits;
(c) Explain how the
facility is eligible for a pollution control tax credit as set forth in OAR
340-016-0060. The applicant
shall include supporting documentation if the facility is eligible for
certification based upon orders or permit limitations;
(d) Include the appropriate fees established
in OAR
340-016-0065;
(e) Provide documentation that substantiates
the facility cost as claimed on the application for final certification and as
set forth in OAR
340-016-0070;
(f) Contain a statement that the facility is
in compliance with Department statutes, rules and standards, and any
documentation regarding non-compliance;
(g) Sign the application certifying that all
claims made on the application are true and accurate;
(h) Provide a copy of a written agreement
between the lessor and lessee designating the party to receive the tax credit
if the applicant is claiming a tax credit for a leased facility. The applicant
shall provide a copy of the cover, first and signature pages of the complete
and current lease agreement for the facility. The Department may request a copy
of the complete agreement; and
(i)
Provide a copy of a written and signed agreement between the owners designating
the party or parties to receive the tax credit certificate if the applicant is
claiming the tax credit for a facility with more than one owner.
(4) Department Notification. The
Department shall notify the applicant in writing when:
(a) Rejecting an application for the
applicant's failure to file a timely application as set forth in sections (1)
and (2) of this rule or rejecting an application for failure to provide a
timely response as set forth in subsection (5)(a) of this rule.
(b) Requiring additional information from the
applicant. The Department shall request additional information within 60 days
from the date the Department received the application if the Department is
unable to complete the review;
(c)
Requiring additional information, for applications for final certification
only, if the Department is unable to determine the actual cost of the facility
or the portion of the actual cost of the facility properly allocable to
pollution control;
(d) Notifying
the applicant of the date, time and place of the Commission meeting where the
Commission shall take action on the application; and
(e) Notifying the applicant of the action
taken by the Commission. If the Commission rejects an application for
certification; certifies a lesser actual cost of the facility; or certifies a
lesser portion of the actual cost properly allocable to pollution control,
material recovery or recycling than the applicant claimed in the application
for certification, the Commission shall cause written notice of its action, and
a concise statement of the findings and reasons therefore, to be sent by
registered or certified mail to the applicant.
(5) Applicant Response to Notification. The
applicant:
(a) Shall respond to the
Department within 60 days of receipt of the Department's written notification
when the Department requests additional information as set forth in section (4)
of this rule. The applicant shall respond by providing the additional
information requested or by submitting a written estimate of the time needed to
provide the information necessary to complete the application.
(b) May appeal from the rejection or
reduction as provided in ORS
468.170(3) and
468.110.
(6) Extension of Time. The Commission may
grant an extension of time to submit an application for final certification. An
extension of time:
(a) Shall only be
considered for applications that may exceed the time limits set forth in
section (2) of this rule;
(b) Shall
not extend the period for filing an application beyond December 31, 2008;
and
(c) Shall only be granted for
circumstances beyond the control of the applicant that would make filing a
timely application unreasonable.