Credit for the production of renewable chemicals

(a)

In general

Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

45S.

Credit for production of renewable chemicals

(a)

In general

For purposes of section 46, the renewable chemicals production credit for any taxable year is an amount (determined separately for each renewable chemical produced by the taxpayer) equal to $0.15 per pound of eligible content of renewable chemical produced by the taxpayer during the taxable year. (b)

Limitation

The credit determined under subsection (a) with respect to any renewable chemical produced by any taxpayer during any taxable year shall not exceed the credit amount allocated by the Secretary to the taxpayer with respect to such chemical for such taxable year under subsection (e). (c)

Eligible content

For purposes of this section— (1)

In general

The term eligible content means, with respect to any renewable chemical, the biobased content percentage of the total mass of organic carbon in such chemical. (2)

Biobased content percentage

The term biobased content percentage means, with respect to any renewable chemical, the biobased content of such chemical (expressed as a percentage) determined by testing representative samples using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6866. (d)

Renewable chemical

For purposes of this section— (1)

In general

The term renewable chemical means any chemical which— (A)is produced by the taxpayer in the United States (or in a territory or possession of the United States) from renewable biomass, (B)is sold, or used, by the taxpayer— (i)for the production of polymers, plastics, or formulated products, or (ii)as polymers, plastics, or formulated products, and (C)is not sold or used for the production of any food, feed, or fuel. (2)

Exceptions

Such term shall not include any chemical if— (A)the biobased content percentage of such chemical is less than 25 percent, (B)10,000,000 pounds or more of such chemical was produced during calendar year 2000 from renewable biomass, (C)such chemical is not either the product of, or reliant upon, biological conversion, thermal conversion, or a combination of biological and thermal conversion, of renewable biomass, or (D)such chemical is composed of renewable chemicals that are eligible for a credit under this section. (3)

Renewable biomass

The term renewable biomass has the meaning given such term in section 9001(12) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101(12)). (e)

Allocation of credit amounts

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after enactment of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall establish a program to allocate credit amounts under this section to applicants for taxable years. (2)

Limitations

(A)

Aggregate limitation

The total amount of credits that may be allocated under such program shall not exceed $500,000,000. (B)

Taxpayer limitation

The amount of credits that may be allocated to any taxpayer for any taxable year under such program shall not exceed $25,000,000. For purposes of the preceding sentence, all persons treated as a single employer under subsection (a) or (b) of section 52, or subsection (m) or (o) of section 414, shall be treated as one person. (3)

Selection criteria

In determining which taxpayers to make allocations of credit amount under this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration— (A)the number of jobs created and maintained (directly and indirectly) in the United States (including territories and possessions of the United States) as result of such allocation during the credit period and thereafter, (B)the degree to which the production of the renewable chemical demonstrates reduced dependence on imported feedstocks, petroleum, non-renewable resources, or other fossil fuels, (C)the technological innovation involved in the production method of the renewable chemical, (D)the energy efficiency and reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gases of the renewable chemical or of the production method of the renewable chemical, and (E)whether there is a reasonable expectation of commercial viability. (4)

Redistribution

If a credit amount allocated to a taxpayer for a taxable year with respect to any renewable chemical (determined without regard to this paragraph) exceeds the amount of the credit with respect to such chemical determined under this section on the taxpayer’s return for such taxable year (determined by treating the amount of any payment under subsection (f) as shown on the taxpayer’s return)— (A)the credit amount allocated to such taxpayer for such taxable year with respect to such renewable chemical shall be treated as being the amount so determined on the taxpayer’s return, and (B)such excess may be reallocated by the Secretary consistent with the requirements of paragraphs (2)(B) and (3). (5)

Disclosure of allocations

The Secretary shall, upon making an allocation of credit amount under this section, publicly disclose the identity of the applicant and the amount of the credit with respect to such applicant. (f)

Termination

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary may not allocate any credit amount under this section to any taxable year which begins more than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this section.

(b)

Credit To be part of general business credit

(1)

In general

Subsection (b) of section 38 of such Code is amended by striking plus at the end of paragraph (35), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (36) and inserting , plus, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(37)the renewable chemicals production credit determined under section 45S(a).

(2)

Credit allowable against alternative minimum tax

Subparagraph (B) of section 38(c)(4) of such Code is amended by redesignating clauses (vii) through (ix) as clauses (viii) through (x), respectively, and by inserting after clause (vi) the following new clause:

(vii)the credit determined under section 45S,

(c)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 45S. Credit for production of renewable chemicals.

(d)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to chemicals produced after the date of the enactment of this Act, in taxable years ending after such date.