The City Council's Budget Committee has advanced a measure to provide a property tax exemption for renewable energy improvements.

The bill introduced by Councilman Charles Djou would exempt such renewable-energy improvements as solar and wind farms from property taxation.

Djou said after yesterday's vote that the measure would make it a little easier for entrepreneurs to initiate renewable energy projects.

He said it would also help preserve O'ahu's open space by encouraging renewable energy production on vacant land and reduce pressure for more urban development.