NC H636

Appropriates $10,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2021-2022 from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce for the NC Clean Energy Innovation and Research Fund to provide clean energy innovation and research grants.

Appropriates $4,500,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2021-2022 from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce for the One North Carolina Fund to provide competitive grants for clean energy and energy efficiency innovation, entrepreneurship, and small business development.

Establishes the NC Clean Energy Innovation and Research Fund as a special revenue fund administered by the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation to make grants to private businesses with fewer than 100 employees, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and state agencies.

Prioritizes grants for development and deployment of renewable energy technologies, growth of the clean energy industry and green building processes, and attraction of private-sector investments and workforce development in clean energy businesses.

Allows the Department to set grant caps and require matching funds from private businesses, and to use up to $100,000 or 5% annually (whichever is greater) for fund administration; unspent funds revert to the General Fund by June 30, 2025.