HB80 Summary

• Creates the Alabama Public Interest Energy Research and Development Grants Program to fund energy research projects not adequately supported by competitive markets, with emphasis on fossil fuel and bioenergy technologies.

• Establishes the Commission on Public Interest Energy Research and Development Grants as a new executive agency composed of the State Oil and Gas Supervisor, State Climatologist, Lieutenant Governor, House Government Appropriations Committee Chair, Senate Finance and Taxation Committee Chair, and other state officials to distribute grant funds.

• Creates the Public Interest Energy Research and Development Grants Fund within the State Treasury to receive state appropriations, gifts, grants, federal funds, and other public and private funds for program purposes.

• Appropriates $100,000 from the State General Fund to the grants fund for fiscal years ending September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2011, conditioned on fund availability, Finance Director recommendation, and Governor approval.

• Requires the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Policy to review and recommend grant applications to the Commission, which retains absolute discretion to approve or reject all grants and must report annually to the Legislature on grants made and program progress.