Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon's Department of Energy announced a series of emergency measures Tuesday to stop abuse of the state's Business Energy Tax Credit. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

The state legislature passed the so called BETC two years ago -- to attract companies that build things like wind farms and solar arrays to Oregon.

Politicians were originally told the tax credit would cost the state about $4 million dollars this biennium.

Now, an investigation by The Oregonian Newspaper found it'll cost more like $160 million dollars - or about as much as the general fund spends on the Oregon State Police.

Diana Enright with the Oregon Department of Energy says new rules have been put in place to try and reduce costs.

Diana Enright: "One of those is related to multiple projects and multiple BETC applications. Other issues to be addressed in the temporary rules will cost overruns and any taxes owed to the state."

The governor's office denies pressuring staff to low-ball the cost estimates for the BETC.

It also drew attention to a letter it send this summer, asking the Energy Department to tighten rules surrounding the BETC.