OPEI Welcomes New Legislative Tax Incentive for Alternative Energy Powered Non-Road Equipment

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(Business Wire)--
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) today announced its support of
legislation from Senators Leahy and Sanders and Congressman Welch that provides
consumers with a 25 percent tax credit towards the purchase of alternative
energy powered lawn, garden, and forestry power equipment.

According to the Leahy, Sanders and Welch offices, this "tax credit to purchase
clean lawn and garden equipment would give Americans a powerful incentive to
operate clean, alternative energy power equipment that will reduce our
dependence on imported oil."

Outdoor power equipment manufacturers currently offer a wide range of
alternative energy powered equipment from battery, electric, hybrids, propane
and solar to compressed natural gas and diesel.

At the same time, gasoline powered equipment uses the latest technologies to
produce the cleanest, lowest emission products ever and is fully regulated by
the EPA. The agency began regulating outdoor power equipment emissions with its
Phase I in 1997, followed by Phase II in 2002. In August, 2008 EPA announced its
Phase III emissions regulations for outdoor power equipment. Once fully
implemented, the outdoor power equipment industry will have reduced emissions by
95 percent in just 15 years since it first became regulated.

"We are pleased to support this new tax credit that truly incentivizes consumers
to seek out a range of alternative energy sources when operating outdoor power
equipment," said Kris Kiser, Executive VP at OPEI. "Our members are responding
to stated public policy that aims for energy independence with innovative,
technology-driven product."

Product purchases that qualify for the 25 percent tax credit include equipment
that:

* is powered by a motor drawing current from solar, electricity, or rechargeable
or replacement batteries,
* has a hybrid-electric drive train and/or cutting system powered by a generator
or electrical storage device combined with a small engine, or
* is powered by alternative power sources and regulated by the Environmental
Protection Agency.

About OPEI

OPEI is an international trade association representing the $15 billion
landscape, forestry, utility and lawn and garden equipment manufacturing
industry. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through
the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety
standards. For more information on OPEI visit www.OPEI.org.

On Behalf of OPEI
Caroline March-Long
office: 434-295-5938
mobile: 434-760-1948
Caroline@FourLeafPR.com
or
OPEI
Kris Kiser, Executive Vice President
703-549-7600
Kkiser@opei.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009