
Various provisions in the federal income tax treat energy producers more or less favorably than other businesses. By changing the after-tax rate of return on investments in the energy sector, the Tax Code may alter the long-run supply of specific types of energy.
In general, the income of all participants in the energy sector is subject to income tax of one form or another. Two notable exceptions arise in the generation and sale of electricity. Governmental agencies (such as the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Bonneville Power Administration, and municipally owned power companies) account for approximately 14 percent of the electricity sold in the United States. (more…)