2014 Code of Alabama
Title 2 - AGRICULTURE.
Chapter 2 - COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES.
Section 2-2-111 - Program created; goals; implementation and administration.

Section 2-2-111Program created; goals; implementation and administration.

(a) The Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Program is hereby created. The program shall be implemented and administrated by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries through the Department of Agriculture and Industries Center for Alternative Fuels. The program shall include a full range of energy and alternative fuel research and development activities that are not adequately provided for in the competitive and regulated markets. The Advisory Commission on Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants established in Section 2-2-112 shall advise the commissioner regarding the operation of the program, and make specific recommendations regarding the awarding of grants and funds for projects in the program.

(b) The general goals of this program are to develop and help bring to market technologies that enhance Alabama's unique portfolio of energy and fuel resources and potential energy and fuel sources, particularly the significant fossil fuel, alternative fuel, and bioenergy resources of the state; provide increased environmental benefits; increase energy and fuel reliability in times of crisis; and lower energy and fuel costs.

(c) In order to achieve program goals, the commissioner shall adopt a portfolio approach for the program that does all of the following:

(1) Effectively balances the risks, benefits, and time horizons for various activities and investments that will provide benefits for Alabama citizens, based on advisory commission input.

(2) Emphasizes innovative fossil fuel, alternative fuel, and bioenergy supply and end use technologies, focusing on their reliability, affordability, and environmental attributes.

(3) Includes projects that have the potential to enhance the production, reliability, storage, and distribution capabilities of current energy and fuel sources as well as potential fossil fuel, alternative fuel, and bioenergy sources.

(4) Accelerates knowledge transfer and technological innovations.

(5) Demonstrates a balance between short-term, mid-term, and long-term potential.

(6) Ensures that prior, current, and future research not be unnecessarily duplicated.

(7) Provides for the future market utilization of projects funded through the program.

(8) Stimulates growth-oriented fossil fuel, alternative fuel, and bioenergy enterprises within the state.

(9) Ensures an open project selection process based on commission advisory recommendations and encourages the awarding of research funding for a diverse type of research as well as a diverse award recipient base and equally considers research proposals from the public and private sectors.

(10) Encourages partnerships and collaborative projects between private enterprises, Alabama's universities, and research organizations in fossil fuels and bioenergy.

(11) Coordinates with other research programs.

(d) To ensure the efficient implementation and administration of the program, the commissioner shall do the following:

(1) Develop procedures for the solicitation of grant applications for projects or program funding and ensure efficient program management.

(2) Evaluate programs and projects, based on merit, and advisory commission input that will be funded under the program.

(Act 2012-527, p. 1564, §2.)