GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2005

H                                                                                                                                                   D

HOUSE DRH10291-SYx-20  (03/30)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short Title:     Climate Change/State Agency Reports/Funds.

(Public)

Sponsors:

Representatives Harrison, Fisher, Haire, and Underhill (Primary Sponsors).

Referred to:

 

 

 

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to Direct State Agencies to evaluate and report annually on their activities and research related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; to direct the State energy office to prepare an annual assessment of the State's activities related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; and to appropriate funds to implement the provisions of this act.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The following State agencies shall report to the State Energy Office of the Department of Administration no later than 1 October of each year on their activities and research related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change:

(1)       The Department of Administration.

(2)       The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

(3)       The Department of Commerce.

(4)       The Department of Crime Control and Public Safety.

(5)       The Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

(6)       The Department of Health and Human Services.

(7)       The Department of Insurance.

(8)       The Department of Revenue.

(9)       The Department of Transportation.

(10)     The Utilities Commission.

SECTION 2.  The reports required in Section 1 of this act shall include all of the following information:

(1)       A description of any studies or research related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change conducted by the agency.

(2)       A description of planning by the agency related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

(3)       A description of present and projected risks and vulnerabilities to the agency's areas of responsibility with regard to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

(4)       A description of the agency's utilization of sources of information related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

(5)       A list of key personnel and offices in each agency related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

(6)       A list of recommendations to address present and projected risks and vulnerabilities to the agency's areas of responsibility with regard to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

SECTION 3.  The State Energy Office shall publish at least quarterly a newsletter that provides information on relevant research and models of State action related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change to the key personnel and offices in each agency listed in Section 1 of this act.  The State Energy Office shall post the newsletter on the State Energy Office Web site and shall also distribute the newsletter electronically via the Internet.

SECTION 4.  The State Energy Office shall review the reports it receives pursuant to Section 1 of this act and prepare an annual assessment on the adequacy and general preparedness of State agencies with regard to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.  The State Energy Office shall report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Environmental Review Commission no later than 1 January of each year on its assessment of the adequacy and general preparedness of State agencies with regard to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.  The State Energy Office shall also distribute its annual assessment in the following formats:

(1)       Distribute printed copies of the report to the agencies listed in Section 1 of this act.

(2)       Post the assessment on the State Energy Office Web site.

(3)       Maintain printed copies of the assessment for inspection at the State Energy Office.

(4)       Establish an interested parties electronic distribution list and distribute the assessment via the Internet.

SECTION 5.  The State agencies listed in Section 1 of this act shall submit the first reports required by Section 1 of this act to the State Energy Office on or before 1 October 2006.  The State Energy Office shall submit the first electronic newsletter required by Section 3 of this act on or before 1 January 2006.  The State Energy Office shall submit the first report required by Section 4 of this act to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Environmental Review Commission on or before 1 January 2007.

SECTION 6.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the State Energy Office of the Department of Administration the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 2005-2006 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 2006-2007 fiscal year to implement the provisions of this act.  The State Energy Office may award funds of up to twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) to each agency required to report on their activities and research related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change pursuant to Section 1 of this act.

SECTION 7.  Sections 1 through 5 and Section 7 of this act are effective when the act becomes law.  Section 6 of this act becomes effective 1 July 2005.