§ 143B-1445.  Energy conservation savings.

(a) The General Fund current operations appropriations credit balance remaining at the end of each fiscal year for utilities from the Department of Adult Correction that is energy savings realized from implementing an energy conservation measure shall be carried forward to the next fiscal year. Sixty percent (60%) of the energy savings realized shall be utilized for energy conservation measures by the Department of Adult Correction. The use of funds under this section shall be limited to one-time capital and operating expenditures that will not impose additional financial obligations on the State and are nonreverting. The Director of the Budget, under the authority set forth in G.S. 143C-6-2, shall establish the General Fund current operations credit balance remaining in each budget code of the Department of Adult Correction.

(b) The Director of the Budget shall not decrease the recommended continuation budget requirements for utilities from the previous fiscal year for the Department of Adult Correction by the amount of energy savings realized from implementing energy conservation measures, including savings achieved through a guaranteed energy savings contract.

(c) The Department of Adult Correction shall submit a biennial report on the use of funds authorized pursuant to this section as required under G.S. 143-64.12.

(d) As used in this section, "energy savings," "guaranteed energy savings contract," and "energy conservation measure" have the same meaning as in G.S. 143-64.17. (2023-121, s. 5(a).)