Local Wind Farm Campaign Group Seeks Tax Exempt Status

By Gordon HopkinsAn organization calling itself REIN (Renewable Energy Information Network) Nebraska, based in Jansen, has filed Articles of Incorporation and is attempting to qualify as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.Benefits of a 501(c)(3) status include exemption from federal income tax; possible exemption from state income, sales, and employment taxes; reduced postal rates; exemption from federal unemployment tax; and tax-exempt financing. It also allows donations to the organization to be tax deductible.As first reported by FJN last week, REIN operated a booth in the Merchant's Building of the Jefferson County Fairgrounds during the county fair. That booth was manned by Kesha Eldridge, who is also the chairperson of the Jansen Village Board.Although Eldridge has not responded to questions about her involvement with REIN, FJN has confirmed that Eldridge is listed on the Articles of Incorporation as the “initial registered agent.” Said Articles of Incorporation were filed on June 28, 2022.The incorporator is listed as Frances Severe, Operations Manager for a company called Parasec in Sacramento, California. However, Parasec is no longer involved with REIN. Severe explained to FJN, “My organization provides a service where we sign organization documents and once the document is filed, we resign as incorporator/organizer.”The filing with the Nebraska Secretary of State states the organization has members but does not provide any names. Eldridge has not answered questions about membership.Eldridge also has not responded to questions about spending and fund raising activities. In addition to the booth at the county fair, REIN has registered a website and purchased a banner on a chute at the rodeo. FJN has not been able to determine how much was spent on these items or who paid for them.According to the National Council of Nonprofits, “Tax-exempt nonprofits are required to provide copies, upon request, of their three most recently filed annual information returns (IRS Form 990) and their application for tax-exemption.”FJN has requested those items from REIN but has not received them as of press time. As of press time, it is unknown if the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) has approved REIN’s tax-exempt status. Until 501(c)(3) status is approved, REIN may not be obligated to provide those forms. Depending on a number of factors, including which form is submitted, approval can take anywhere from two weeks to a year.However, the organization currently describes itself as “non-profit” on the “About Us” page of REIN’s website, “When renewable energy offers came knocking in Jefferson County the founders of the non-profit REIN NEBRASKA knew they needed to provide a location for the most up-to-date information on the sustainability, profitability, hazards, and many other topics of conversation that are involved when signing decades-long contracts that will alter the way our Nebraska landscape is for the remainder of our generation and what the next will have to recover from.”According to the IRS, “To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings may inure to any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.”The mission of REIN would have to be described in the application for tax-exempt status and the IRS limits what activities funds can be used for, “Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct.”

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