Idle Reduction Rule

Extend Climate Change Commission: This bill extends the Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change to October 1, 2010.

Energy Efficient State Motor Vehicle Fleet: Requires the Department of Administration, when purchasing new passenger vehicles, to give preference to new passenger vehicles that have a fuel economy that is in the top 15% of that class of comparable vehicles.

Various Localities Energy Dev. Incentives: A number of cities and counties have been granted permission by the state to offer land-use development incentives in exchange for reductions in energy consumption. This bill allows all cities and counties to offer the same incentives.

Revolving Loan Fund for Energy Improvements: This bill allows cities and counties to lend unrestricted funds or federal stimulus monies to taxpayers in order to establish a revolving loan fund for the purpose of providing loans to finance the purchase and installation of distributed generation renewable energy sources or energy efficiency improvements that are permanently affixed to real property.

Amend Certain Electricity Generation Laws: This bill provides for retention of fuel and fuel-related cost savings associated with the purchase or construction of a carbon offset facility, to bring certain dams used in connection with electric generating facilities under the Dam Safety Act, and to make other changes to laws governing the generation of electricity. It also shortens the time for the Utilities commission to decide on a petition for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of a natural gas-fueled generation unit that will replace all coal-fired units at a site and comply with reduced SO2 emissions requirements.

Energy Savings Contracts' Cap/Program Admin.: This bill increases the amount the state can finance under Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts from $100 million to $500 million. It also requires the auditor to provide a life cycle cost analysis of each energy conservation measure in the final proposal.

Incentives for Energy Conservation: This bill extends the North Carolina renewable energy tax credit to January 1, 2016, expands the 35% tax credit to cover geothermal heat pumps and equipment, and allows the credit to be taken against the gross premiums insurance tax.

Solar Collectors on Residential Properties: This bill makes the current limitations on city ordinaces, county ordinaces and deed restrictions regulating the installation of solar collectors for single-family residences applicable to all residential property.

Energy to Commerce; Office of Economic Opportunity to Energy: This bill transfers the State Energy Office from the Department of Administration to the Department of Commerce and transfers the Residential Energy Conservation Assistance Program from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Energy Office of the Department of Commerce. It also makes changes to the Energy Policy Council, reducing membership from 18 to 16 and requiring members versed in alternative fuels, renewable energy, energy policy, energy finance, and green building.

Ensure Accountability Re: Stimulus Funds: This bill would facilitate expedited use and expenditure of federal funds provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; establish one or more revolving loan funds for the purpose of providing secured loans ($1 million or less) per entity to install or to an entity that installs energy efficient and renewable energy improvements; and creates a study by the Energy Policy Council and NC Utilities Commission to study how to develop, implement and maintain an Internet website for the online tracking and trading of renewable energy certificates (RECs) in order to verify the compliance of electric power suppliers with the REPS requirements and to facilitate the establishment of a market for the purchase and sale of RECs. 

Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday: Authorizes a new sales tax holiday for certain Energy Star qualified products. G.S. 105-164.13D provides that qualifying products will be exempt from sales and use tax when purchased between 12:01 A.M. on the first Friday in November and 11:59 P.M. the following Sunday.

Codify Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings: Codifies the standards governing energy efficiency and water use for major facility construction and renovation projects involving state, university and community college buildings in order to reduce the consumption of energy and water.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS): (1) promotes the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the state through implementation of a renewable energy and energy efficiency portfolio standard (reps), (2) allows recovery of certain non-fuel utility costs through the fuel charge adjustment procedure, (3) provides for ongoing review of construction costs and for recovery of costs in rates in a general rate case, (4) adjusts the public utility and electric membership corporation regulatory fees, (5) provides for the phase out of the tax on the sale of energy to North Carolina farmers and manufacturers, and (6) allows a tax credit to contributors to 501(c)(3) organizations for renewable energy property.

Use of Solar Collectors on Detached Single Family Residences: City ordinances, county ordinances, and deed restrictions, covenants, and other similar agreements cannot prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the installation of solar collectors not facing public access or common areas on detached single family residences.

Distribution of E-Blended Fuels: Facilitates the distribution of E-blend fuels.

Definition of Biodiesel: An Act that exempts biodiesel that is produced by an individual for personal use in a private passenger vehicle from the motor fuel excise tax.

Building Permit Fee Reductions/Rebates to Promote Energy Efficient Building Construction: Allows counties and cities to provide building permit fee reductions or partial rebates to encourage construction of buildings using sustainable design principles to achieve energy efficiency.

Energy Conservation in State Buildings: Promotes the conservation of energy and water use in state, university, and community college buildings.

Local Energy Efficiency Incentives: Authorizes various municipalities to provide development incentives in exchange for reductions in energy consumption.

State Diesel Vehicles, Warranties / B20 Fuel: All vehicles transferred to or purchased by the State that are designed to operate on diesel fuel are covered by an express manufacturer's warranty that allows the use of B20 fuel.

Diesel School Buses to Use Minimum B20: Requires public school buses or other vehicles for student transportation that are capable of operating on diesel fuel to be capable of operating on diesel fuel with a minimum biodiesel concentration of B20.

Email us