SB72 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Energy, Alabama Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Program, established, funding for energy and fuel projects, Advisory Commission on Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants, established, Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Fund, established, Agriculture and Industries Department Center for Alternative Fuels to administer, appropriation

Summary

SB72 would create a state program to fund public interest energy and fuel research and development projects, overseen by a new advisory commission, with a dedicated fund and yearly appropriations.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Program within the Department of Agriculture and Industries’ Center for Alternative Fuels to fund energy and fuel research not covered by markets. It creates an Advisory Commission to guide grant awards and a dedicated Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Fund in the State Treasury. It provides initial funding of $100,000 from the State General Fund for 2012 and 2013 and sets up rules for applying, evaluating, reporting progress to the Legislature, and collaborating with universities and private researchers. Funds can come from state sources, gifts, grants, federal funds, and other public or private money, and will be managed with an open, diverse, and goal-driven process.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents/public: could benefit from improved energy reliability, environmental benefits, and potentially lower energy costs as a result of funded research and development.
• Alabama universities, private research organizations, and energy companies: eligible to propose and partner on grant-funded energy and fuel research projects.
• State agencies and the Center for Alternative Fuels: responsible for administering the program and managing funds.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Program within the Department of Agriculture and Industries Center for Alternative Fuels, to fund R&D for public interest energy and fuel projects.
• Establishes the Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Fund in the State Treasury to receive appropriations, gifts, grants, and federal funds, and to be spent by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.
• Creates the Advisory Commission on Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants to advise on grant distribution and to review proposals; commission members include state leaders and appointees; must meet quarterly and operate with open access for the public.
• Requires the Commissioner to evaluate grant proposals based on relevance, impact, capacity to meet objectives, and benefit to citizens, with funding decisions needing majority support from advisory commission members present and voting.
• Provides annual reporting to the Legislature by March 31 on recipients, awards, project types, progress, and program improvements.
• Allocates initial funding of $100,000 from the State General Fund for fiscal years ending 2012 and 2013 to support the program.
• Allows funds to be used for administration and to support a diverse, collaborative portfolio of fossil fuel, alternative fuel, and bioenergy projects, including partnerships with universities and private sector entities.
• Requires an open project selection process and coordination with other research programs, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of research.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Energy