GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1318

Short Title:  North Carolina Solar Center Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representative Colton.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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May 10, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA SOLAR CENTER.
Whereas, solar energy applications offer a means of lowering energy costs for homes and businesses, and, therefore, help to expand the availability for affordable housing and commercial space to our State's citizens; and
Whereas, the implementation of solar technologies will decrease the dependence of North Carolinians on foreign sources of energy, and, therefore, reduce our vulnerability to future supply interruptions; and
Whereas, solar energy is relatively benign in its environmental impact and tends to mitigate some of the effects of global warming and acid rain normally associated with the combustion of fossil fuels; and
Whereas, North Carolina State University, through the NCSU Solar House, has established an effective solar extension program since 1981, demonstrating to over 20,000 visitors each year that solar energy is economical and affordable by virtue of the Solar House's low fuel and utility costs less than $65.00 per winter); and
Whereas, the North Carolina Solar Center has established a record of exemplary service since its founding in 1988, providing a wide array of education, information, and technical assistance services to North Carolina consumers and businesses interested in using solar energy technologies, responding to over 15,000 requests and educating over 5,000 of the State's citizens; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Energy Policy Council has recommended that the State establish a goal of obtaining 20% of its energy supplies from renewable energy resources by the year 2010, and strong leadership will be needed by the Solar Center to achieve this goal; and
Whereas, the oil restitution monies provided for the initial funding of the North Carolina Solar Center are declining and may be exhausted within a few years, and are at an inadequate level to assist the State in meeting the 20% goal by 2010; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce for fiscal year 1993-94 the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) and for fiscal year 1994-95 the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for administrative and program costs of the North Carolina Solar Center located on the campus of North Carolina State University.
Sec. 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1993.