GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2007

H                                                                                                                                                   D

HOUSE DRH30429-SB-21  (03/30)

Short Title:     Study Electric Power Issues.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representative Harrison.
Referred to:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to require the north carolina utilities commission to commission a comprehensive assessment of the LEAST‑cost mix of generation and demand for electricity in light of public health, environmental impacts, and other impacts of the full fuel cycle and to appropriate funds for this study.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The North Carolina Utilities Commission, with assistance from the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, shall commission a comprehensive assessment of the least‑cost mix of generation and demand for electricity in light of public health, environmental impacts, and other impacts of the full fuel cycle.  This study shall consider, among any other matters necessary to this comprehensive assessment:

(1)       Whether utility incentives are optimally aligned to result in the least‑cost mix of generation and demand, or whether incentives should be increased for investments in consumer‑side energy conservation and efficiency.

(2)       Whether incentives are adequate for decentralized production of electricity, or whether potential energy producers, such as farmers who might adopt environmentally superior waste handling technology that generates electricity, need additional incentives to switch to the new technology.

(3)       Whether benefits of renewable energy sources, including jobs creation, improved security from decentralization, renewability of supply, and reduction of toxic and dangerous wastes and emissions, match or exceed the costs of renewable energy sources.

(4)       Whether policies and measures in place in other states and countries that are leading to a mix of generation involving renewable energy sources as well as demand reduction should be implemented in this State.

SECTION 2.  The North Carolina Utilities Commission, with assistance from the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, shall report its findings, together with any legislative proposals, to the Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change and to the Environmental Review Commission no later than December 1, 2007.

SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the Utilities Commission and Public Staff Fund to the North Carolina Utilities Commission the sum of ninety‑five thousand dollars ($95,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year for the purpose of funding the study authorized by this act.

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.