The US Senate recently confirmed Sally Jewell, the former CEO of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a sporting goods store, as Secretary of the Department of Interior (DOI) by a vote of 87-11.  Jewell will replace outgoing Secretary Ken Salazar. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 19-3 last month in favor of Jewell’s confirmation. DOI oversees the National Park Service (NPS), which is the administering agency for the federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HTC) program.  Secretary Salazar recently made headlines when he http://www.housingonline.com/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsArticleId=217411 requested the NPS review the effectiveness of the HTC program.  The http://www.housingonline.com/NewsArticle.aspx?NewsArticleId=217411 results of that review were recently released with several relevant Action Items to address the HTC, much of which NH&RA and other historic rehabilitation industry groups have been vocal about for many years.

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