GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2011

H                                                                                                                                                   2

HOUSE BILL 585

Committee Substitute Favorable 5/12/11

Short Title:        NC Energy Independence Study.	(Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:

April 5, 2011

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to direct the Environmental Review Commission, with the assistance of the Department of Commerce, to study the development of natural gas, oil, wind, solar, and other energy sources capable of energy production in North carolina.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The Environmental Review Commission, with the assistance of the Department of Commerce, shall study the development of natural gas, oil, wind, solar, and other energy sources capable of energy production for the purposes of North Carolina becoming more self-reliant as to its energy supplies; becoming more independent of foreign energy markets, which are volatile and steeply fluctuating due to current energy and political crises; and avoiding the potential of being completely cut off from foreign fuel due to political unrest and instability in the Middle East.  The Commission and the Department shall specifically do all of the following:

(1)        Identify prospective energy companies that explore for and produce energy from natural gas, oil, wind, solar, or other energy sources capable of energy production.

(2)        Contact the energy exploration and production companies identified and invite these companies to North Carolina to present the Commission and the Department with specific proposals for the production of energy in North Carolina.

(3)        Consider actions that would promote the development of natural gas, oil, wind, solar, and other energy sources capable of energy production in North Carolina. The Commission and the Department shall specifically consider the use of incentives, including tax credits and other financial incentives, and changes to State law to reduce the regulatory burden on energy development and production in North Carolina.

SECTION 2.  The Commission and the Department shall present their findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals, if any, to the 2012 Regular Session of the 2011 General Assembly.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.