NC H775

Establishes the Transformative Climate Communities Fund within the Department of Environmental Quality's State Energy Office to provide competitive grants for neighborhood-level climate projects in disadvantaged communities.

Eligible entities include nonprofits, community organizations, faith-based organizations, local agencies, and tribal governments that demonstrate multistakeholder partnerships and community engagement in all project phases.

Prioritizes funding for plans and projects in areas with high proportions of disadvantaged census tracts and requires all funded projects to demonstrate greenhouse gas emissions reductions and maximize climate, public health, environmental, workforce, and economic benefits.

Appropriates $500,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2023-2024 and $750,000 for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish and support the program.

Requires the State Energy Office to develop guidelines and selection criteria considering stakeholder input, conduct outreach to disadvantaged communities, and submit annual reports by September 1 to the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy and Fiscal Research Division.