Source: http://rafiusa.org/issues/landowner-rights-and-fracking/fast-track-bill-76/
Timestamp: 2013-05-18 09:47:11
Document Index: 321221941

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 143', '§ 113', '§ 143', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 113', '§ 114', '§ 143', 'art 31', '§ 143']

Senate Bill 76: Domestic Energy Jobs Act (Session 2013 NC General Assembly)
Last year, in Senate Bill 820, the General Assembly legalized “fracking” in North Carolina. However, the law prohibited the state from issuing permits in order to allow the Mining and Energy Commission (MEC) sufficient time to develop a “modern regulatory program for the management of oil and gas exploration…”
Senate Bill 820 prohibited the state from issuing permits for hydraulic fracturing “until the General Assembly takes legislative action to allow the issuance of such permits.” This provision assured that the general assembly would have the benefit of the work of the Mining and Energy Commission and the input from the public BEFORE making a final determination on issuing permits.
On February 11, 2013, nine members of the North Carolina Senate introduced Senate Bill 76. The new bill takes that legislative action now and allows permits to be issued on or after March 1, 2015, regardless of the MEC’s findings. Doesn’t the General Assembly want to consider the information that they requested and the input of their constituents before making the final determination? If you are concerned about the rights of landowners in North Carolina take action today.
SENATE BILL 76 (Edition 2)
To check for newer or updated versions or recent action on this bill click here. Finance Committee Substitute Adopted 2/14/13
Sponsors: Senators Newton, Rucho, Brock (Primary Sponsors); Cook, J. Davis, Hise,
Rabin, Sanderson, and Tucker.
Section 1(b) of this act becomes effective March 1, 2015. (Section 1(b) repeals portions of the Senate Bill 820 passed in 2012. Learn more here)
Section 3(b) of this act is effective when it becomes law and applies retroactively to October 1, 2012.
For more on effective dates, see PART XI. EFFECTIVE DATE (last paragraph of the bill).
Full text of the bill (edition 2) as available on the NCLeg.net website is below:
(1) authorize the department of environment and natural resources to issue permits on or after March 1, 2015, for OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE state, including the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing treatments for that purpose;
(2) Direct the mining and energy commission to study development of a comprehensive environmental permit for oil and gas exploration and development activities using horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing treatments;
(3) modify appointments to the mining and energy commission;
(4) modify provisions in the oil and gas conservation act concerning the mining and energy commission’s authority to set “allowables”;
(5) eliminate the registration requirements for persons conducting landmen activities in the state;
(6) AMEND THE STATUTE GOVERNING SUBSURFACE INJECTION OF FLUID;
(7) provide a tax for the severance of energy minerals from the soil or water of the state, repeal outdated oil and gas tax STATUTES, and authorize the suspension of permits for failure to file a return for severance taxes;
(8) appropriate monies from the Mineral Interest Fund to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to operate the Mining and Energy Commission and for related expenditures;
(9) assign future revenue from energy exploration, development, and production of energy resources in order to protect and preserve the state’s natural resources, cultural heritage, and quality of life;
(10) encourage THE GOVERNOR TO Develop THE Regional Interstate Offshore Energy Policy Compact;
(11) aMEND THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 1975 AND THE ENERGY POLICY COUNCIL; and
(12) direct the medical care commission to adopt rules authorizing facilities licensed by the department of health and human services to use compressed natural gas as an emergency fuel.
PART I. ISSUANCE OF PERMITS
SECTION 1.(a) Effective March 1, 2015, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Mining and Energy Commission are authorized to issue permits for oil and gas exploration and development activities using horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing treatments in the State pursuant to G.S. 113‑395.
SECTION 1.(b) Section 3(d) of S.L. 2012‑143 is repealed.
SECTION 1.(c) The Mining and Energy Commission, with the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, shall study development of a coordinated permitting program for oil and gas exploration and development activities using horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing treatments in order that a single comprehensive environmental permit may be issued to a permit applicant to govern the applicant’s exploration and development activities at a site, including, but not limited to, regulation of the following matters: well construction, siting, and closure requirements; hydraulic fracturing treatments, including subsurface injection of fluids for that purpose; water quality, including stormwater control, and management of water resources; management of waste; and regulation of air emissions. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall seek any approvals necessary from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for a coordinated permitting program to allow issuance of a single comprehensive environmental permit for oil and gas exploration and development activities using horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing treatments. The Mining and Energy Commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Environmental Review Commission and the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy on or before October 1, 2013.
PART II. MINING AND ENERGY COMMISSION APPOINTMENT MODIFICATIONS
SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 143B‑293.2 reads as rewritten:
“§ 143B‑293.2. North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission – members; selection; removal; compensation; quorum; services.
(a) Members Selection. – The North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission shall consist of 15 13 members appointed as follows:
(1) The Chair of the North Carolina State University Minerals Research Laboratory Advisory Committee, or the Chair’s designee, ex officio.
(2) The State Geologist, or the State Geologist’s designee, ex officio.
(5) One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives who who, at the time of initial appointment, is an elected official of a municipal government located in the Triassic Basin of North Carolina.a region of North Carolina that has oil and gas potential. A person serving in this seat may complete a term on the Commission even if they are no longer serving as an elected official of a municipal government and may be reappointed to a second term.
(9) One appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate who who, at the time of initial appointment, is a member of a county board of commissioners of a county located in the Triassic Basin of North Carolina.a region of North Carolina that has oil and gas potential. A person serving in this seat may complete a term on the Commission even if they are no longer serving as county commissioner and may be reappointed to a second term.
(14) One appointed by the Governor who is a member of the Environmental Management Commission.Commission and knowledgeable in the principles of water and air resources management.
(15) One appointed by the Governor who is a member of the Commission for Public Health.Health and knowledgeable in the principles of waste management.
SECTION 2.(b) The term of the member serving pursuant to subdivision (14) of G.S. 143B‑293.2(a), as amended by Section 2(a) of this act, shall terminate immediately should that individual’s membership on the Environmental Management Commission terminate. The term of the member serving pursuant to subdivision (15) of G.S. 143B‑293.2(a), as amended by Section 2(a) of this act, shall terminate immediately should that individual’s membership on the Commission for Public Health terminate.
PART III. MISCELLANEOUS MODIFICATIONS TO THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION ACT: ALLOWABLES AND REPEAL OF LANDMEN REGISTRY.
SECTION 3.(a) G.S. 113‑394 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113‑394. Limitations on production; allocating and prorating “allowables.”
(a) Whenever the total amount of oil, including condensate, which all the pools in the State can produce, exceeds the amount reasonably required to meet the reasonable market demand for oil, including condensate, produced in this State, then the Commission shall may limit the total amount of oil, including condensate, which may be produced in the State by fixing an amount which shall be designated “allowable” for this State, which will not exceed the reasonable market demand for oil, including condensate, produced in this the State. The Commission shall may then allocate or distribute the “allowable” for the State among the pools on a reasonable basis and in such manner as to avoid undue discrimination, and so that waste will be prevented. In allocating the “allowable” for the State, and in fixing “allowables” for pools producing oil or hydrocarbons forming condensate, or both oil and such hydrocarbons, the Commission shall may take into account the producing conditions and other relevant facts with respect to such pools, including the separate needs for oil, gas and condensate, and shall may formulate rules setting forth standards or a program for the distribution of the “allowable” for the State, and shall distribute the “allowable” for the State in accordance with such standards or program, and where conditions in one pool or area are substantially similar to those in another pool or area, then the same standards or programs shall be applied to such pools and areas so that as far as practicable a uniform program will be followed; provided, however, the Commission shall allow the production of a sufficient amount of natural gas from any pool to supply adequately the reasonable market demand for such gas for light and fuel purposes if such production can be obtained without waste, and the condensate “allowable” for such pool shall not be less than the total amount of condensate produced or obtained in connection with the production of the gas “allowable” for light and fuel purposes, and provided further that, if the amount allocated to pool as its share of the “allowable” for the State is in excess of the amount which the pool should produce to prevent waste, then the Commission shall fix the “allowable” for the pool so that waste will be prevented.
(b) The Commission shall not be required to determine the reasonable market demand applicable to any single pool except in relation to all pools producing oil of similar kind and quality and in relation to the demand applicable to the State, and in relation to the effect of limiting the production of pools in the State. In allocating “allowables” to pools, the Commission shall not be bound by nominations or desires of purchasers to purchase oil from particular fields or areas, and the Commission shall allocate the “allowable” for the State in such manner as will prevent undue discrimination against any pool or area in favor of another or others which would result from selective buying or nominating by purchasers of oil, as such term “selective buying or nominating” is understood in the oil business.
(c) Whenever the Commission limits the total amount of oil or gas which may be produced in any pool in this State to an amount less than that which the pool could produce if no restrictions were imposed (which limitation may be imposed either incidental to, or without, a limitation of the total amount of oil or gas which may be produced in the State), the Commission shall prorate or distribute the “allowable” production among the producers in the pool on a reasonable basis, and so that each producer will have the opportunity to produce or receive his just and equitable share, as such share is set forth in subsection G.S. 113‑392(d), subject to the reasonable necessities for the prevention of waste.
(d) Whenever the total amount of gas which can be produced from any pool in this State exceeds the amount of gas reasonably required to meet the reasonable market demand therefrom, the Commission shall limit limits the total amount of gas which may be produced from such pool. Thea pool, the Commission shall then allocate or distribute the allowable production among the developed areas in the pool on a reasonable basis, so that each producer will have the opportunity to produce his just and equitable share, as such share is set forth in subsection G.S. 113‑392(d), whether the restriction for the pool as a whole is accomplished by order or by the automatic operation of the prohibitory provisions of this law. As far as applicable, the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be followed in allocating any “allowable” of gas for the State.
(e) After the effective date of any rule or order of the Commission fixing the “allowable” production of oil or gas, or both, or condensate, no person shall produce from any well, lease, or property more than the “allowable” production which is fixed, nor shall such amount be produced in a different manner than that which may be authorized.”
SECTION 3.(b) G.S. 113‑425 is repealed.
PART IV. AMEND STATUTE GOVERNING SUBSURFACE FLUID INJECTION
SECTION 4. G.S. 143‑214.2 reads as rewritten:
“§ 143‑214.2. Prohibited discharges.
(a) The discharge of any radiological, chemical or biological warfare agent or high‑level radioactive waste to the waters of the State is prohibited.
(b) The discharge of any wastes to the subsurface or groundwaters of the State by means of wells is prohibited. This section shall not be construed to prohibit (i) the operation of closed‑loop groundwater remediation systems in accordance with G.S. 143‑215.1A or (ii) injection of hydraulic fracturing fluid for associated with the exploration exploration, production, or development of natural gas resources.
(c) Unless permitted by a rule of the Commission, the discharge of wastes, including thermal discharges, to the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean over which the State has jurisdiction are prohibited.”
PART V. SEVERANCE TAXES
“Article 5I.
“Severance Tax.
“§ 105‑187.71. Definitions.
(2) Condensate. – Liquid hydrocarbon that is or can be recovered from gas by a separator or other means.
(3) Energy mineral. – All forms of natural gas, oil, and related condensates.
(4) First purchaser. – A person who purchases an energy mineral from a producer.
(5) Gas. – All natural gas, including casinghead gas, and all other hydrocarbons not defined as oil or condensates.
(6) MCF. – One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.
(7) Oil. – Crude petroleum oil, and other hydrocarbons, regardless of gravity, which are produced at the well in liquid form by ordinary production methods and which are not the result of condensation of gas after it leaves the reservoir.
(8) Owner. – An owner of a landowner’s royalty interest, of an overriding royalty, of profits and working interests, or any combination thereof in energy minerals. The term does not include an owner of federal, state, or local governmental royalty interest.
(9) Person. – Defined in G.S. 105‑228.90.
(10) Producer. – A person who takes an energy mineral from the soil or water in this State.
(11) Return. – Any report or statement required to be filed under this Article to determine the tax due.
(12) Royalty interest. – An interest in mineral rights in a producing leasehold in the State. A royalty interest does not include the interest of a person having only the management and operation of a well.
(13) Secretary. – The Secretary of Revenue.
(14) Severance. – The extraction or other removal of an energy mineral from the soil or water of this State.
(15) Severed. – The point at which the energy mineral has been separated from the soil or water of this State.
(16) Standard barrel of oil. – A barrel of oil containing 42 gallons.
(17) Taxpayer. – Any person required to pay the severance tax levied by this Article.
“§ 105‑187.72. Tax on severance of energy minerals.
(a) Purpose. – An excise tax, to be termed a “severance tax,” is levied on the privilege of engaging in the severance of energy minerals from the soil or water of this State. The purpose of the tax is to provide revenue to administer and enforce the provisions of this Article, to administer the State’s natural gas and oil reclamation regulatory program, to meet the environmental and resource management needs of this State, and to reclaim land affected by exploration for, drilling for, and production of natural gas and oil. The severance tax is imposed upon all energy minerals severed when sold or consumed, whichever occurs first.
(b) Calculation of Tax. – The amount of the severance tax shall be determined as follows:
(1) Condensates. – The applicable percentage rate of tax multiplied by the market value per each barrel of oil equivalents (BOE) of the condensates sold.
(2) Gas. – The applicable percentage rate of tax multiplied by the market value per each MCF of the gas sold.
(3) Oil. – The applicable percentage rate of tax multiplied by the market value per each standard barrel of the oil sold.
(c) Rate of Tax, Condensates. – The applicable percentage rate of the severance tax on condensates shall be determined in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) For condensates sold from a well in calendar year 2015, 2016, or 2017, the rate of tax shall be one percent (1%).
(2) For condensates sold from a well in calendar year 2018 or 2019, the rate of tax shall be two and one‑half percent (2.5%).
(3) For condensates sold from a well in calendar year 2020 and thereafter, the rate of tax shall be six percent (6%).
(d) Rate of Tax, Gas. – The applicable percentage rate of the severance tax on gas shall be calculated for each sale of gas. The rate will be the sales price of each MCF divided by 100 stated as a percentage, within the following limitations:
(1) For gas sold from a well in calendar year 2015, 2016, or 2017, the rate of tax shall not exceed one percent (1%).
(2) For gas sold from a well in calendar year 2018 or 2019, the rate of tax shall not exceed two and one‑half percent (2.5%).
(3) For gas sold from a well in calendar year 2020 and thereafter, the rate of tax shall be at least two and one‑half percent (2.5%) and shall not exceed six percent (6%).
(e) Rate of Tax, Oil. – The applicable percentage rate of the severance tax on condensates shall be determined in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) For oil sold from a well in calendar year 2015, 2016, or 2017, the rate of tax shall be one percent (1%).
(2) For oil sold from a well in calendar year 2018 or 2019, the rate of tax shall be two and one‑half percent (2.5%).
(3) For oil sold from a well in calendar year 2020 and thereafter, the rate of tax shall be six percent (6%).
(f) Exemption. – The severance of energy minerals from land or water in this State owned legally or beneficially by the producer, which energy minerals are used on the land from which they are taken by the producer as part of the improvement of or use in the producer’s homestead, is exempt from the severance tax. To claim the exemption allowed by this subsection, the taxpayer shall provide any information required by the Secretary. Every taxpayer claiming the exemption under this subsection shall maintain and make available for inspection by the Secretary any records the Secretary considers necessary to determine and verify the amount of the exemption or special rate of tax to which the taxpayer is entitled. The burden of proving eligibility for the exemption and the amount of the exemption shall rest upon the taxpayer, and no exemption shall be allowed to a taxpayer that fails to maintain adequate records or to make them available for inspection.
“§ 105‑187.73. Market value.
(a) Market Value. – For the calculation of the severance tax, market value is the following:
(1) Condensates. – The market value of condensates is the total actual gross price in U.S. dollars paid by the first purchaser of condensates at the mouth of the well from which it was produced.
(2) Gas. – The market value of gas is the total actual gross price in U.S. dollars paid by the first purchaser at the mouth of the well from which the gas is produced as adjusted in this section. The market value of gas at the mouth of the well shall be determined by subtracting the producer’s actual marketing costs from the producer’s total gross cash receipts from the sale of the gas.
(3) Oil. – The market value of oil is the total actual gross price in U.S. dollars paid by the first purchaser of the oil at the mouth of the well from which it was produced.
(b) Marketing Costs. – Marketing costs are the costs incurred by the producer to get the gas from the mouth of the well to the market. Marketing costs do not include costs for which a producer receives a cost reimbursement from the gas purchaser. Marketing costs do not include costs incurred in producing the gas, costs incurred in normal lease separation of the oil or condensate from the gas, or insurance premiums on the marketing facility. Marketing costs include all of the following:
(3) Costs for sweetening the gas sold.
(5) Costs for gathering the gas sold.
(c) Records. – In order to be eligible to subtract the marketing costs from the producer’s gross receipts for purposes of calculating the market value of gas, the producer shall provide any information required by the Secretary. Every producer subtracting the marketing costs as permitted under this section shall maintain and make available for inspection by the Secretary of Revenue any records the Secretary considers necessary to determine and verify the amount of the marketing costs the producer is eligible to subtract. The burden of proving eligibility for subtracting the marketing costs and the amount of the marketing costs to be subtracted shall rest upon the producer, and no subtraction of marketing costs shall be allowed to a producer that fails to maintain adequate records or to make them available for inspection.
“§ 105‑187.74. Returns and payment of tax.
(a) General. – Severance taxes are payable when a return is due. A return is due quarterly or monthly as specified in this section. A return must be filed by the producer of the energy mineral with the Secretary on a form prescribed by the Secretary and in the manner required by the Secretary. A return must be signed by the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s agent.
(c) Quarterly. – A taxpayer who is consistently liable for less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) a month in severance taxes must file a return and pay the taxes due on a quarterly basis. A quarterly return covers a calendar quarter and is due by the last day of the month following the end of the quarter.
(d) Monthly. – A taxpayer who is consistently liable for at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) a month in severance taxes must file a return and pay the taxes due on a monthly basis. A monthly return is due by the 20th day of the month following the calendar month covered by the return.
(e) Category. – The Secretary must monitor the amount of severance taxes paid by a taxpayer or estimate the amount of taxes to be paid by a new taxpayer and must direct each taxpayer to pay tax and file returns as required by this section. In determining the amount of taxes due from a taxpayer, the Secretary must consider the total amount due from all places of business owned or operated by the same person as the amount due from that person. A taxpayer must file a return and pay tax in accordance with the Secretary’s direction.
“§ 105‑187.75. Bond or letter of credit required.
A producer must file with the Secretary a bond or an irrevocable letter of credit if the producer fails to file a return required under this Article. A bond or an irrevocable letter of credit must be conditioned upon compliance with the requirements of this Article, be payable to the State, and be in the form required by the Secretary. The amount of the bond or irrevocable letter of credit is two times the applicant’s average expected monthly tax liability under this Article, as determined by the Secretary. When notified to do so by the Secretary, a person that is required to file a bond or an irrevocable letter of credit must file the bond or irrevocable letter of credit in the amount required by the Secretary within 30 days after receiving the notice from the Secretary.
“§ 105‑187.76. Allocation of revenue.
The Secretary shall allocate the tax levied in this Article as follows:
(1) Twenty‑five percent (25%), not to exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000) per year, to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for purposes of administering its duties and responsibilities under Article 27 of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes.
(2) After allocation pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall allocate:
a. Fifty percent (50%) to the General Fund.
b. Fifty percent (50%) to the Onshore Energy Management Fund until the Fund reaches ten million dollars ($10,000,000). The Onshore Energy Management Fund is an interest‑bearing special revenue fund to be established within the State treasury. This fund shall be used only for emergency preparation, emergency response, emergency environmental protection, or mitigation associated with a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids directly related to onshore energy exploration, development, production, or transmission. Once the fund balance reaches the amount of ten million dollars ($10,000,000), funds over that amount shall be allocated to the General Fund. If monies are withdrawn from the Onshore Energy Emergency Fund to carry out the provisions in this sub‑subdivision, revenues generated by the tax levied in this Article shall be deposited in the Onshore Energy Emergency Fund until a total of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) is reestablished.
“§ 105‑187.77. Liability of producer for tax.
The tax imposed by this Article is the primary liability of the producer except as provided in this section. A first purchaser may not take delivery of energy minerals from a producer unless the producer furnishes the purchaser with a taxpayer identification number assigned by the Secretary. A first purchaser failing to secure the producer’s taxpayer number, either from the producer or the Secretary, will be liable for any tax, penalty, and interest due on the energy minerals purchased from the producer.
“§ 105‑187.78. Royalty owner’s records.
The owner of a royalty interest shall keep both of the following:
“§ 105‑187.79. Permits suspended for failure to report.
“§ 105‑187.80. No local taxation.
A city or county may not impose a franchise, privilege, license, income, or excise tax on the severing, production, treating, processing, ownership, sale, storage, purchase, marketing, or transportation on any energy minerals produced in the State, or upon the business of severing, producing, treating, processing, owning, selling, buying, storing, marketing, or transporting such energy minerals, or upon the ownership, operation, or maintenance of plants, facilities, machinery, pipelines, and gathering lines related to the severing, production, treating, processing, ownership, storage, sale, purchase, marketing, or transportation of energy minerals. This section does not preclude the taxation of the property in accordance with Article 11 of this Chapter.”
SECTION 5.(b) G.S. 105‑259(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
“(44) To furnish to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the name, address, tax year end, and account and identification numbers of an entity liable for severance tax to enable the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources to notify the entity that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall suspend permits of the entity for oil and gas exploration using horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing under G.S. 113‑395.”
SECTION 5.(c) G.S. 113‑387 and G.S. 113‑388 are repealed.
PART VI. APPROPRIATION FROM MINERAL INTEREST FUND FOR OPERATION OF MEC
SECTION 6. There is appropriated from the Mineral Interest Fund to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the sum of twenty‑two thousand nine hundred dollars ($22,900) for the 2012‑2013 fiscal year to be used to operate the Mining and Energy Commission and for payment of expenditures related to the Commission’s implementation of legislative mandates to the Commission, including the hiring of temporary or contract employees to assist with policy development and rule making.
PART VII. REVENUE FROM OFFSHORE ENERGY PRODUCTION
SECTION 7. Chapter 113B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
“Revenues from Offshore Energy Production.
“§ 113B‑30. Allocation of revenues from offshore energy production; creation of Offshore Energy Management Fund.
(a) Any revenues and royalties paid to the State as a result of offshore leasing, exploration, development, and production of all energy resources shall be deposited in the Offshore Emergency Fund until the Fund reaches fifty million dollars ($50,000,000). The Offshore Energy Management Fund is an interest‑bearing special revenue fund to be established within the State treasury. This Fund shall be used only for emergency preparation, emergency response, emergency environmental protection, or mitigation associated with a release of liquid hydrocarbons or associated fluids directly related to offshore energy exploration, development, production, or transmission. Once the Fund balance reaches the amount of fifty million dollars ($50,000,000), the funds shall be used as provided in subsection (b) of this section. If monies are withdrawn from this Fund to carry out the provisions in this section, all revenues and royalties paid to the State as a result of offshore leasing, exploration, development, and production of all energy resources shall be deposited in the Fund until a total of fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) is reestablished. Once the Fund balance reaches the amount of fifty million dollars ($50,000,000), the funds shall be used as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(1) Thirty percent (30%) of such revenues and royalties shall be credited to the General Fund.
(2) Ten percent (10%) of such revenues and royalties shall be credited to the North Carolina Highway Trust Fund established under G.S. 136‑176.
(4) Ten percent (10%) of such revenues and royalties shall be transferred to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina System to establish and manage research and development funds for programs directly related to energy research and development.
(5) Thirty percent (30%) of such revenues and royalties shall be transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for conservation, protection, and mitigation, including, but not limited to, beach and inlet management projects, dredging operations, channel navigation and maintenance, public beach and water access, water quality management, and habitat restoration.
(6) Eight percent (8%) of such revenues and royalties shall be transferred to the State Ports Authority for expansion and maintenance of State Port infrastructure associated with energy‑related commerce.
(7) Two percent (2%) of such revenues and royalties shall be transferred to the Department of Commerce for recruitment of energy‑related industries to the State.”
PART VIII. REGIONAL INTERSTATE OFFSHORE ENERGY POLICY COMPACT
SECTION 8.(a) Development of Regional Interstate Offshore Energy Policy Compact. – The Governor is strongly encouraged to commence negotiations on the development of a regional energy compact with the governors of South Carolina and Virginia in order to develop a unified regional strategy for the exploration, development, and production of all commercially viable federal and state offshore energy resources within the three‑state region. The Governor shall develop recommendations for the General Assembly to consider for the development of a statutory regional compact, and these recommendations shall reflect the collective agreement of all three governors in the three‑state region in order to provide common language for consideration by each state’s General Assembly. During the development of these compact recommendations, the Governor or the Governor’s designee is authorized to work directly with each of the three states’ Congressional delegations, the United States Department of the Interior, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and other appropriate federal agencies on behalf of the State of North Carolina to develop appropriate strategies to be considered in the development of the three‑state compact for increasing domestic energy exploration, development, and production within each state in the three‑state region and their adjacent state and federal waters. The compact negotiations and recommendations shall address at least all of the following:
(1) Ensure a timely review and consideration of permits and proposals at both the state and federal level for both state and federal waters adjacent to each state in the three‑state region for seismic and other marine geophysical exploration to identify and quantify natural gas and related hydrocarbon resources along the continental margin.
(2) Amend the 2012 to 2017 Five Year Leasing Plan of the United States Department of the Interior to include leasing federal waters adjacent to the State and the three‑state region for the exploration, quantification, and development of natural gas and related hydrocarbon energy resources.
(3) Advocate proactively with each state’s Congressional delegation and appropriate federal agencies to ensure direct sharing of royalties and revenues related to energy leasing, exploration, development, and production of all offshore energy resources in federal waters adjacent to the State and the three‑state region.
(4) Request the United States Department of the Interior to reinstate the federal Offshore Policy Committee with new members and new alternate members to be nominated by the governor of the state represented on the Offshore Policy Committee and appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, six of whom are to be one member and one alternate member each from North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina.
(5) Request the United States Department of the Interior to immediately move forward with permitting geological and geophysical data acquisition activities associated with oil and gas exploration in the Mid‑ and South Atlantic Planning Areas of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf immediately as outlined in Alternative A of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement entitled “Atlantic OCS Proposed Geological and Geophysical Activities” published in 2012.
SECTION 8.(b) No later than three months after the effective date of this act, and at least every three months thereafter, the Governor or the Governor’s designee shall report to the General Assembly on the progress of the Governor and others in complying with the requirements under this section, to include providing copies of correspondence and other relevant materials to or from the Office of the Governor when the correspondence or materials pertain to the subject under this section or to any requirement under this section. The Governor shall report the Governor’s final recommendations for the three‑state energy compact to the Joint Energy Oversight Committee no later than March 1, 2014.
SECTION 8.(c) In addition to the provisions in Sections 8(a) and 8(b) of this act, the Governor is encouraged to join the Governors of Alaska, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, and Virginia and any others who may sign on to the Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition announced on May 3, 2011, to promote a constructive dialogue among the coastal state governors and the federal government on offshore energy issues important to the future of North Carolina and the United States. The Governor is authorized to expend funds related to membership in the Coalition.
SECTION 8.(d) The Governor is also encouraged to write letters to the North Carolina Congressional delegation, the governors of South Carolina and Virginia, the legislative bodies of South Carolina and Virginia, the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, and the President of the United States, urging their support of the recommendations set forth in subdivision (1) through (5) of Section 8(a) of this act.
SECTION 8.(e) Upon ratification, the Secretary of State shall furnish certified copies of this act to each member of the North Carolina Congressional delegation, the governors of South Carolina and Virginia, the legislative bodies of South Carolina and Virginia, the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, and the President of the United States.
PART IX. ENERGY POLICY ACT AND ENERGY POLICY COUNCIL AMENDMENTS
SECTION 9.(a) The title of Chapter 113B of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
“North Carolina Energy Policy Act of 1975.and Jobs Act.”
SECTION 9.(b) The title of Article 1 of Chapter 113B of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
“Energy Policy Jobs Council.
SECTION 9.(c) G.S. 113B‑1 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑1. Legislative findings and purpose.
(3) It is the responsibility of State government to encouragein the State’s best interest to support the development of a reliable and adequate supply of energy for North Carolina at a level consistent with such energy needs required for the protection of public health and safety, and for the promotion of the general welfare; andthat is secure, stable, and predictable in order to facilitate economic growth, job creation, and expansion of business and industry opportunities.
(3a) It is in the State’s best interest to support the exploration, development, and production of domestic energy supplies, preferably from the resources within the State or region and most certainly from within the country.
(3b) It is the duty of State government to protect and preserve the State’s natural resources, cultural heritage, and quality of life and, above all, the public health and safety of its residents during the exploration, development, and production of domestic energy resources.
(4) The State has not providedmust provide the basis for development of a long‑range unified energy policy to encompass comprehensive energy resource planning and efficient management of the rate of consumption of existing energy resources in relation to economic growth, to effectively meet an energy crisis, to encourage development of alternative sources of energy,energy that are capable of achieving a positive benefit‑to‑cost ratio, and to prudently conserve ensure efficient utilization of energy resources in a manner consistent with assuring a reliable and adequate supply of energy for North Carolina.Carolina, including active support and collaboration with the federal government to ensure access to the nation’s energy resources located on the outer continental shelf directly adjacent to the State’s coastal waters.
(5) It is the expressed intent of this Chapter to provide for development of such a unified domestic energy policy for the State of North Carolina.Carolina as part of a nationwide effort for increased domestic energy production in the interest of national security and economic growth and stability.”
SECTION 9.(d) G.S. 113B‑2 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑2. Creation of Energy Policy Jobs Council; purpose of Council.
(a) There The Energy Jobs Council is hereby created a council to advise and make recommendations on increasing domestic energy policy exploration, development, and production within the State and region to promote economic growth and job creation to the Governor and the General Assembly to be known as the Energy PolicyAssembly. The Energy Jobs Council which shall be located within the Department of Commerce.Environment and Natural Resources.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, the powers, duties and functions of the Energy Policy Jobs Council shall be as prescribed by the Secretary of Commerce.Environment and Natural Resources.
(c) The Energy Policy Jobs Council shall serve as the central energy policy planning body of the State and shall communicate and cooperate with federal, State, regional and local bodies and agencies to the end of effecting a coordinated energy policy.”
SECTION 9.(e) G.S. 113B‑3 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑3. Composition of Council; appointments; terms of members; qualifications.
(a) The Energy Policy Jobs Council shall consist of 16 13 members to be appointed as follows:
(2a) The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources.
(2b) The Secretary of Commerce.
(b) Appointments to the Energy Policy Jobs Council shall be made by July 15, 2009, July 1, 2013. and each such appointee shall serve until January 31, 2011. Thereafter, the appointed members of the General Assembly shall serve two‑year terms, and the appointed public members shall serve four‑year terms. A member of the Energy Policy Council shall continue to serve until his successor is duly appointed, but such holdover shall not affect the expiration date of such succeeding term. The terms of office of members of the Council are three years. The terms of members appointed under subdivisions (1), (4), and (6) of subsection (c) of this section shall expire on June 30 of years evenly divisible by three. The terms of members appointed under subdivisions (2), (5), (8), and (10) of subsection (c) of this section shall expire on June 30 of years that precede by one year those years that are evenly divisible by three. The terms of members appointed under subdivisions (3), (7), (11), and (12) of subsection (c) of this section shall expire on June 30 of years that follow by one year those years that are evenly divisible by three. Appointments made by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be allowed when the General Assembly is not in session.
(2) One member shall be experienced in the natural gas industry;have experience in natural gas and associated hydrocarbon exploration, development, and production, to be appointed by the Governor.
(3) One member shall be experienced in alternative fuels and biofuels;a representative of an investor‑owned natural gas public utility, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(4) One member shall be experienced in energy efficient building design or construction;an energy economist or a person with experience in the financing or business development of an energy‑related business, to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(5) One member shall be experienced in environmental protection;have experience in energy policy, to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(7) One member shall be knowledgeable of alternative and renewable sources of energy;energy, to be appointed by the Governor.
(8) One member who, at the time of appointment, is a county commissioner; or elected municipal officer; provided, the member’s term on the Council shall expire immediately in the event that he or she vacates office as a county commissioner or municipal officer;shall have experience in trucking, rail, or shipping transportation, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(9) Repealed by Session Laws 2009‑446, s. 4, effective August 7, 2009.
(10) One member shall be knowledgeable in the finance, business development, or technology development of energy‑related business;One member shall have experience in energy research and development, to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(11) One member shall be experienced in low‑income energy policy matters or low‑income residential weatherization.One member shall have experience in environmental management, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(12) One member shall be experienced in the petroleum industry.One member shall have experience in the biofuels industry, to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.”
SECTION 9.(f) G.S. 113B‑4 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑4. Chairman of Council; replacement; reimbursement of members.
(a) On August 15, 2009, on January 31, 2011, and every four years thereafter, the Governor shall appoint a chair of the Council.The Council shall elect one of its members to serve as chair. The chair shall serve for a term of two years and may serve no more than two terms in total.
(b) In case of a vacancy in the membership on the Energy PolicyJobs Council prior to the expiration of a member’s term, a successor shall be appointed within 30 days of such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term by the appropriate official pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 113B‑3.
(c) Members of the Energy Policy Jobs Council shall be reimbursed for their services pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 138‑5.”
SECTION 9.(g) G.S. 113B‑5 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑5. Organization of the Council; adoption of rules of procedure therefor.
(c) The Energy Policy Jobs Council is authorized to create such advisory committees as will be needed to assist the Council in its efforts and to assure adequate citizen‑consumer input into those efforts. Members of advisory committees shall be appointed by the Council for terms not to exceed the expiration date of terms of then present public members of the Council.”
SECTION 9.(h) G.S. 113B‑6 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑6. General duties and responsibilities.
The goal of the Energy Jobs Council is to identify and utilize all domestic energy resources in order to ensure a secure, stable, and predictable energy supply and to protect the economy of the State, promote job creation, and expand business and industry opportunities while ensuring the protection and preservation of the State’s natural resources, cultural heritage, and quality of life. The Energy PolicyJobs Council shall may delegate its duties where appropriate to the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The Council shall provide oversight and approval to the duties delegated to the Division. The Energy Jobs Council shall have the following general duties and responsibilities:
(1) To develop and recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly a comprehensive long‑range State energy policy that addresses requirements in the short term (10 years), in the midterm (25 years), and in the long term (50 years) to achieve maximum effective management and use of present and future sources of energy, such policy to include but not be limited to energy efficiency, renewable and alternative sources of energy, research and development into alternative energy technologies, and improvements to the State’s energy infrastructure and energy economy;economy, including smart grid and domestic energy resources that shall include at least natural gas, coal, hydroelectric power, solar, wind, nuclear energy, and biomass. For utilities regulated under Chapter 62 of the General Statutes, the policy developed under this subdivision shall be consistent with the analysis and plan developed under G.S. 62‑110.1(c).
(4) To recommend to the Governor and to the General Assembly needed energy legislation and rule making, and to recommend for implementation such modifications of energy policy, plans plans, and programs as the Council considers necessary and desirable.”
SECTION 9.(i) G.S. 113B‑7 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑7. Energy Efficiency Program; components.
(g) At least every two years and whenever such changes take place as would significantly affect energy supply or demand in North Carolina, the Energy Policy Jobs Council shall review and, if necessary, revise the Energy Efficiency Program, transmitting such revised plan to the Governor pursuant to the procedures contained in subsections (e) and (f) of this section.”
SECTION 9.(j) G.S. 113B‑8(a) reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑8. Energy Management Plan; components.
(a) The Energy Policy Jobs Council shall prepare a recommended Energy Management Plan for transmittal to the Governor, the initial plan to be completed by June 30, 1976.”
SECTION 9.(k) G.S. 113B‑9 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑9. Emergency Energy Program; components.
(1) Each electric utility and natural gas utility in the State shall prepare and submit to the Energy Policy Jobs Council a proposed emergency curtailment plan setting forth proposals for identifying priority loads or users in the event of the declaration of an energy crisis pursuant to G.S. 113B‑20, and proposals for supply allocation to such priority loads or users. Utilities regulated under Chapter 62 of the General Statutes may satisfy this requirement by submitting the General Load Reduction and System Restoration Plan that is prepared annually for the Utilities Commission.
(e) The Energy Policy Jobs Council shall hold one or more public hearings, investigate and review the plans submitted pursuant to this section, and, within nine months after July 1, 1975, the Energy Policy Jobs Council shall approve and recommend to the Governor guidelines for emergency curtailment to be known as the Emergency Energy Program and to be implemented upon adoption by the Governor after the declaration of an energy crisis and pursuant to G.S. 113B‑20 and 113B‑23. Said program shall be based upon the plans presented to the Energy Policy Jobs Council, upon independent analysis and study by the Council, and upon information provided at the hearing or hearings, provided, however, that they are consistent with such federal programs and regulations as are already in effect at that time.
(1) A variety of strategies and staged conservation measures of increasing intensity and authority to reduce energy use during an energy crisis, as defined in G.S. 113B‑20 and guidelines and criteria for allocation of energy sources to priority users. The program shall contain alternative conservation actions and allocation plans to reasonably meet various foreseeable shortage circumstances and to allow a choice of appropriate responses;
(i) Upon completion of the Emergency Energy Allocation Program, the Council and the Governor shall follow the procedures as outlined in G.S. 113B‑7(e) and (f).
(j) The Council shall update the Emergency Energy Allocation Program said program upon a finding by it that an update is justified andjustified. The Council shall follow the procedures for adoption pursuant to G.S. 113B‑7(e) and (f).
(k) The Governor shall have the authority to accept, administer and enforce federal programs, program measures and permissive delegations of authority delegated to the Governor by the President of the United States, Congress, or the United States Department of Energy, on behalf of the State of North Carolina, which pertain to actions necessary to deal with an actual or impending energy shortage.”
SECTION 9.(l) G.S. 113B‑11 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑11. Powers and authority.
(e) Staff support required by the Council shall be supplied by the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The Department of Commerce shall provide the staffing capability to the Energy Policy Council so as to fully and effectively develop recommendations for a comprehensive State energy policy as contained in the provisions of this Article. The Department of Commerce and the Utilities Commission is are hereby authorized to make its their staff available to the Council to assist in the development of a State energy policy.”
SECTION 9.(m) G.S. 113B‑12 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑12. Annual reports; contents.
(a) Beginning January 1, 1977, and every yearEvery two years thereafter, the Energy Policy Jobs Council shall transmit to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Environmental Review Commission, the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy, and the chairman of the Utilities Commission Commission and the appropriate chairmen of the House and Senate committees concerned with energy matters, a comprehensive report providing a general overview of energy conditions in the State. On January 1, 1976, the Energy Policy Council shall transmit a progress report to the public officials named above.
(2) The level of statewide and multi‑county regional energy demand for a five, 10‑ and 20‑year forecast period which, in the judgment of the Council, can reasonably be met, with proposals as to possible energy supply sources;
(4) An analysis of the role of energy efficiency, renewable energy, improvements to the State’s energy infrastructure, and other means in meeting the State’s current and projected energy demand;
(7) A summary of the Council’s activities since its inception,the last report, a description of major plans developed by the Council, an assessment of plan implementation, and a review of Council plans and programs for the coming biennium.”
SECTION 9.(n) G.S. 113B‑21(a) reads as rewritten:
“(a) There is hereby createdUpon the declaration of an energy crisis by the Governor, a Legislative Committee on Energy Crisis Management shall be created to consist of the Speaker, as chairman, the Speaker pro tempore of the House of Representatives andRepresentatives, the President pro tempore Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the majority leader of the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor shall serve as chair, and shall be a nonvoting ex officio member, provided, however, that he the chair shall vote to break a tie.”
SECTION 9.(o) G.S. 113B‑23 reads as rewritten:
“§ 113B‑23. Administration of plans and procedures.
(a) Upon the declaration of an energy crisis, pursuant to G.S. 113B‑20, the Energy Policy Jobs Council shall become the emergency energy coordinating body for the State and shall carry out the following duties:
(b) Upon the declaration of an energy crisis, the Governor shall order the Energy Policy Jobs Council, the Utilities Commission, the Attorney General and other appropriate State and local agencies to implement and enforce the Emergency Energy Program pursuant to G.S. 113B‑9 and any emergency rules, orders or regulations approved pursuant to G.S. 113B‑22.
(c) Upon the declaration of an energy crisis, the Governor may employ such measures and give such direction to State and local offices and agencies as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of securing compliance with the provisions of this Article and with emergency rules, orders and regulations issued pursuant to G.S. 113B‑22.”
SECTION 9.(p) G.S. 113B‑24(c) reads as rewritten:
“(c) The provisions of this Article or any rules, orders or regulations promulgated pursuant to G.S. 113B‑22 may be enforced by bringing an action to enjoin such acts or practices as may be in violation and, upon a proper showing, a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction shall be issued. The relief sought may include a mandatory injunction commanding any person to comply with any such order, rule or regulation and restitution of money received in violation of any such order, rule or regulation. The Attorney General shall bring any action under this subsection upon the request of the Governor, the Legislative Committee on Energy Crisis Management, the Energy Policy Jobs Council, or upon his direction if he deems such action advisable and in the public interest. The Attorney General may institute such action in the Superior Court of Wake County, or, in his discretion, in the superior court of the county in which the acts or practices constituting a violation occurred, are occurring or may occur.”
SECTION 9.(q) G.S. 114‑4.2D reads as rewritten:
“§ 114‑4.2D. Employment of attorney for Energy Policy Jobs Council of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Energy Efficiency Program of the Department of Commerce.
The Attorney General shall assign an attorney to work full time with the Energy Policy Jobs Council of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Energy Efficiency Program of the Department of Commerce. Such attorney shall be subject to all provisions of Chapter 126 of the General Statutes relating to the State Personnel System. Such attorney shall also perform such additional duties as may be assigned by the Attorney General.”
SECTION 9.(r) G.S. 143‑58.5(c) reads as rewritten:
“(c) The Fund shall be used to offset the incremental fuel cost of biodiesel and biodiesel blend fuel with a minimum biodiesel concentration of B‑20 for use in State vehicles, for the purchase of ethanol fuel with a minimum ethanol concentration of E‑85 for use in State vehicles, the incremental vehicle cost of purchasing AFVs, for the development of related refueling infrastructure, for the costs of administering the Fund, and for projects approved by the Energy Policy Jobs Council.”
SECTION 9.(s) G.S. 143‑345.13 reads as rewritten:
“§ 143‑345.13. Reporting of stocks of coal and petroleum fuels.
The Department of Administration may, with the prior express approval of the Energy Policy Jobs Council and the Governor, require that all coal and petroleum suppliers in North Carolina supplying coal, motor gasoline, middle distillates, residual oils, and propane for resale within the State, file with the Department of Administration, on forms prepared by the Department, accurate reports as to the stocks of coal and petroleum products and storage capacities maintained by the supplier, including the supplier’s current inventory and stock of coal, motor gasoline, middle distillates, residual oils and propane, the expected time such supplies will last under ordinary distribution demand and the schedule for receiving additional or replacement stocks. The reports and the information contained therein shall be proprietary information available only to regular employees of the Department of Administration, except that aggregate tables or schedules consolidating information from the reports may be released if they do not reveal individual report data for any named supplier. It is further the intent of this section that no information shall be required from coal and petroleum suppliers, that is, at the time the reports are requested, already on file with any agency, commission, or department of State government.
It is the intent of this section that the reports be filed only at such times as the Energy Policy Jobs Council and the Governor determine that an energy crisis as defined in G.S. 113B‑20 exists or may be imminent.
If any petroleum or coal supplier fails to file the accurate reports as may be required by this section for more than 10 days after the date on which any such report is due, the Secretary of Administration is authorized and empowered to petition the district court, Division of the General Court of Justice, in the county in which the principal office or place of business of the supplier is located, for a mandatory injunction compelling the supplier to file the report.”
SECTION 9.(t) Article 7 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
“Part 31. Energy Jobs Council.
“§ 143B‑281.1. Energy Jobs Council – transfer.
The Energy Jobs Council, as established by Chapter 113B of the General Statutes and other applicable laws of this State, is hereby transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources by a Type II transfer as defined in G.S. 143A‑6.”
SECTION 9.(u) Notwithstanding G.S. 113B‑3 or any other law to the contrary, the terms of all members of the Energy Policy Council serving as of the effective date of this act shall expire on the effective date of this act or on June 30, 2013, whichever comes first. Initial appointments shall be made pursuant to subsection (c) of G.S. 113B‑3, as amended by Section 9(e) of this act, no later than July 1, 2013.
SECTION 9.(v) The Revisor of Statutes shall make the conforming statutory changes necessary to reflect the transfers under this section. The Revisor of Statutes may correct any reference in the General Statutes to the statutes that are recodified by this section and make any other conforming changes necessitated by this section.
PART X. MODIFY ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS RULE TO ALLOW HOSPITALS TO USE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS AS EMERGENCY FUEL
SECTION 10.(a) Definitions. – “Electrical Requirements Rule” means 10A NCAC 13B .6227 (Licensing of Hospitals: Electrical Requirements) for purposes of this section and its implementation.
SECTION 10.(b) Electrical Requirements Rule. – Until the effective date of the revised permanent rule that the Medical Care Commission is required to adopt pursuant to Section 10(c) of this act, the Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services shall implement the Electrical Requirements Rule, as provided in Section 10(c) of this act.
SECTION 10.(c) Implementation. – Notwithstanding subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of the Electrical Requirements Rule, the Commission shall authorize facilities licensed by the Department to use bi‑fuel generators that operate with both liquid fuel and natural gas (methane) that is not stored on the site, provided that the natural gas is delivered via pipe or pipeline by a natural gas utility. These bi‑fuel generators shall be exempt from liquid fuel capacity standards established by the Commission. Bi‑fuel generators that operate on both liquid and other gaseous fuels, including propane and butane, that are stored on the site shall also be authorized, provided that the combined capacity of both liquid and gaseous fuels meet minimum on‑site fuel requirements established by the Commission. The Commission may adopt rules to require a licensed facility with a bi‑fuel generator to develop a contingency plan for liquid fuel delivery onto the site in the event of a natural gas (methane) supply disruption.
SECTION 10.(d) Additional Rule‑Making Authority. – The Commission shall adopt a rule to replace the Electrical Requirements Rule. Notwithstanding G.S. 150B‑19(4), the rule adopted by the Commission pursuant to this section shall be substantively identical to the provisions of Section 10(c) of this act. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are not subject to G.S. 150B‑21.9 through G.S. 150B‑21.14. Rules adopted pursuant to this section shall become effective as provided in G.S. 150B‑21.3(b1) as though 10 or more written objections had been received as provided by G.S. 150B‑21.3(b2).
SECTION 10.(e) Effective Date. – Subsection (b) of this section expires when permanent rules to replace subsection (b) of this section have become effective, as provided by subsection (c) of this section.
SECTION 11. Section 1(b) of this act becomes effective March 1, 2015. Section 3(b) of this act is effective when it becomes law and applies retroactively to October 1, 2012. Sections 5(a) through 5(c) of this act are effective for energy minerals sold on or after March 1, 2015, except that G.S. 105‑187.76, as enacted by Section 5(a) of this act, becomes effective only if authorized by the General Assembly in the Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2013. G.S. 113B‑30, enacted by Section 7 of this act, becomes effective only if authorized by the General Assembly in the Current Operations and Capital Improvements Appropriations Act of 2013. The first report due pursuant to G.S. 113B‑12, as amended by Section 9(m) of this act, shall be transmitted on or before January 1, 2014. Except as otherwise provided, the remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.