41-1515

41-1515. Hydrogen grant program; fund; program termination

A. A hydrogen grant program is established within the department to encourage the use of hydrogen in projects that benefit the public.

B. A hydrogen grant program fund is established consisting of the following:

1. Monies appropriated by the legislature.

2. Monies received through gifts, grants and donations.

C. The director of the department's energy office shall administer the program and the fund.

D. Subject to the availability of monies in the hydrogen grant program fund, the director of the energy office shall award grants of up to five hundred thousand dollars to applicants who satisfy all of the following:

1. Demonstrate the public benefit of the project to be funded with the grant.

2. Provide an acceptable project plan that includes a detailed cost schedule and time line for the completion of the project.

3. Limit administrative expenses to not more than ten per cent of the grant award.

E. Monies in the fund:

1. Shall be spent only for the purposes prescribed in this section, except that the energy office may use up to five per cent of the monies in the fund each year to administer the program.

2. Are continuously appropriated.

3. Are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.

F. The program established by this section ends on July 1, 2010 pursuant to section 41-3102.