SPFA News & Announcements

>>Congress Passes Tax Extenders Package

On December 18, 2015, Congress passed a $1.15 trillion omnibus spending bill and $680 billion tax extenders package that the President signed into law. The "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016" funds the federal government through September 2016 and the "Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015" (PATH Act) extends over 50 tax breaks for businesses and individuals.

Building energy-efficiency tax extenders in the PATH Act are the Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit (IRC Sec. 25C), the Energy Efficient New Home Tax Credit (45L) and Commercial Building Tax Deduction (179D). All have been extended retroactively from Jan. 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2016, with modifications to 25C and 179D. Full details on the how these changes may affect you are included in the upcoming Brightup Writeup column in SPFA’s SPRAYFOAM Professional magazine.

Passage of these is an example of how SPFA continues to work in Washington, D.C., on issues important to the members. As a member of the High Performance Building Congressional Coalition (HPBCCC) SPFA partnered with other Coalition members and several construction organizations to push for support and renewal of three energy-efficient building tax extenders: Residential Energy-Efficiency Tax Credit (IRC Sec. 25C); Energy-Efficient New Home Tax Credit (IRC Sec. 45L); Commercial Building Tax Deduction (IRC Sec. 179D). SPFA has co-signed a letter to the US House Committee on Ways and Means, and believes that such tax incentives are critical to moving the mark on energy efficiency and generating a market incentive for more customers to make the jump to SPF.
 
"These incentives have played a role in advancing SPF use around the country by making it even more cost effective," said Kurt Riesenberg, SPFA Executive Director. "Everyone wins with customers upping their game on energy efficiency, reducing energy demand and cost, and living in a more comfortable space. More SPF gets used because it’s the better material, and part of DoE’s mission is accomplished. I hope Congress does the right thing here."

For the latest information on the tax extenders, the upcoming elections, and all things government, be sure to attend Craig Brightup’s Government Affairs breakout session – a regular favorite – at the upcoming SPFA Sprayfoam 2016 Convention & Expo, Feb. 8-11, 2016, and read every edition of the Brightup Writeup in SPFA’s SPRAYFOAM Professional magazine.
 
 

>>FREE Safety Webinars for SPFA Members

SPFA offers safety webinars that are FREE for SPFA members.The next webinar, Supplier Air Systems for Respirators, is March 2.
 
If you missed the previous webinars, they are available for download in the Members-only section of the SPFA website. Direct questions to: Dr. Richard Duncan, SPFA Technical Director, at rickduncan@sprayfoam.org.   
 
 
>>SPFA's Membership Drive
Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance is in the midst of a membership drive. SPFA membership offers sprayfoam professionals the ability to drive the industry forward and address its biggest issues by collaborating on a national level. The member-discounted Professional Certification Program (PCP) provides the highest quality, technically specific training in the business and serves as a certificate of professionalism and authenticity. Additionally, members can increasingly expand their own business by being listed in the SPFA Membership Directory and Buyers' Guide, available in print and online. To learn more about how SPFA can benefit your business, contact Billy Harley, SPFA Membership Representative, at membership@sprayfoam.org or (571) 814-3685.