Defending and Promoting the Glass Industry

NGA staff and consultants went to Capitol Hill last week to meet with federal legislators to discuss expanding the investment tax credit for high-performance windows. Currently, Section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) includes an investment tax credit only available for electrochromic glass. NGA’s request is to expand the types of high-performance windows eligible for the investment tax credit to also include other types of dynamic glass, as well as triple glazing and vacuum insulated glazing (VIG). NGA is also requesting an extension on the deadline of the credit, which is set to expire on Jan. 1, 2025. Any construction needs to begin before that date to be eligible.

Expanding glass eligibility and extending the deadline can give building owners more high-performance window options and yield more opportunity to receive the tax credit to offset costs. It would also have a favorable impact on energy efficiency and the electrical grid, and translate into more manufacturing, fabricating and installing work for the entire glass and glazing supply chain.

“Our day in Washington last week was even more productive than expected,” said NGA Vice President of Advocacy and Technical Services, Urmilla Sowell. “We had meetings with the offices of many Congressional members and leaders of the Finance and Ways and Means Committees. Each office was very receptive to our message and asked meaningful questions. We received encouragement and constructive feedback from those we met with.”

NGA met with the offices of Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI-8), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Senator Cortez Mastro (D-NV), and with majority leaders of the Senate Finance Committee and the minority leader of the House Ways and Means Committee.

NGA expects more interactions with legislators and committee leaders in the coming weeks and months and will keep members and the industry informed on developments.