Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

H.B. 889
                         GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
                                                                                         Apr 25, 2023
                                     SESSION 2023                                   HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
     H                                                                                            D
                                  HOUSE BILL DRH30325-MHa-56
     Short Title:   Clean Energy Grants.                                                     (Public)
     Sponsors:      Representative Autry.
     Referred to:
                                    A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR CLEAN ENERGY GRANTS.
 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
             SECTION 1.(a) The sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in nonrecurring funds
 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of
 Commerce to be allocated to the NC Clean Energy Innovation and Research Fund established by
 G.S. 143B-437.105, as enacted by Section 2 of this act, for clean energy innovation and research
 grants.
             SECTION 1.(b) The sum of four million five hundred thousand dollars ($4,500,000)
 in nonrecurring funds for the 2023-2024 fiscal year is appropriated from the General Fund to the
 Department of Commerce for the One North Carolina Fund established in Part 2H of Article 10
 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes to provide competitive grants in the manner set forth in
 that Part for support of clean energy and energy efficiency innovation, entrepreneurship, and
 small business development in the clean energy sector.
             SECTION 2. Article 10 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by
 adding a new Part to read:
                      "Part 2L. Clean Energy Innovation and Research Fund.
 "§ 143B-437.105. NC Clean Energy Innovation and Research (CLEIR) fund and grant
             program.
     (a)     Fund. – The NC Clean Energy Innovation and Research Fund is established as a
 special revenue fund in the Department of Commerce, and the Office of Science, Technology
 and Innovation in the Department shall be responsible for administering the Fund.
     (b)     Purposes. – Moneys in the NC Clean Energy Innovation and Research Fund shall be
 allocated pursuant to this subsection. The Department of Commerce shall make grants from the
 Fund to private businesses with fewer than 100 employees, nonprofit organizations, local
 governments, and State agencies to encourage the expansion of small to medium size businesses
 with fewer than 100 employees that will help grow a green economy in the State. The NC Clean
 Energy Innovation and Research Fund shall be used for clean energy and energy efficiency
 innovations and research and for the development of small businesses and encouragement of
 entrepreneurship in these areas.
     The priority areas are:
             (1)    To encourage the development and deployment of renewable energy and
                    energy efficient and environmentally conscious clean technologies and
                    products in the State. The Department of Commerce may make grants
                    available to maximize development, production, distribution, retail
                    infrastructure, deployment, and consumer purchase of such technologies and
                                  *DRH30325-MHa-56*
     General Assembly Of North Carolina                                               Session 2023
                   products in North Carolina, including grants to enhance related workforce
                   development.
            (2)    To encourage the development of the clean energy industry in the State. The
                   Department of Commerce may make grants available to assist in the
                   development and growth of a market for environmentally conscious and
                   energy efficient green building processes.
            (3)    To attract and leverage private-sector investments and entrepreneurial growth
                   in renewable energy and energy efficient and environmentally conscious clean
                   technologies, products, and businesses, including grants to enhance workforce
                   development in such businesses.
     (c)    Cap and Matching Funds. – The Department of Commerce, Office of Science,
 Technology and Innovation, may set a cap on a grant from the NC Clean Energy Innovation and
 Research Fund and may require a private business to provide matching funds for a grant from
 the Fund.
     (d)    Administration and Expenses. – The Department of Commerce may adopt rules
 providing for the administration of the Fund. Of the funds appropriated to the Fund, the
 Department may use up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or five percent (5%)
 annually, whichever is greater, to administer the Fund."
            SECTION 3. Funds appropriated by this act that are not spent or encumbered by
 June 30, 2027, shall revert to the General Fund.
            SECTION 4. This act becomes effective July 1, 2023.
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