Conference report makes the following changes to the 4th edition.

Part II

Amends proposed GS 62-110.8 (Competitive Procurement of Renewable Energy). Directs the electric public utilities to issue RFPs to procure energy and capacity from renewable energy facilities in the aggregate amount of 2,660 MW (previously, in the aggregate amount of 2,200 MW), allocated over a 45-month term as previously described. Requires the Utilities Commission to determine the offering of a new renewable energy resources competitive procurement and the amount to be procured at the termination of the initial 45-month procurement period, based on a showing of need evidenced by the electric public utility's most recent biennial integrated resource plan or annual update approved by the Commission pursuant to GS 62-110.1(c). Deletes a provision set out in the limitations set forth for procured renewable energy capacity that prohibits compensation for curtailment from exceeding the market value of energy at the time of curtailment. 

Part XI

Deletes proposed GS 62-351 (Decommissioning and reclamation of utility-scale solar projects; financial assurance requirements; recycling of project components required). Deletes the provision directing the Department of Environmental Quality to adopt temporary rules to implement the requirements of the new statute. Makes conforming changes.

Instead, adds new provision providing that if the act becomes law, then the North Carolina Utilities Commission and the Public Staff of the Utilities Commission are each authorized to create two positions funded from receipts of the Commission in order to meet requirements imposed by that act.

Part XIII

Modifies the proposed moratorium on permits for wind energy facilities, setting the moratorium period to begin January 1, 2018, and to end December 31, 2018 (was, to end December 31, 2020). Specifies that the moratorium pertains to the issuance of permits (was, the consideration of applications for a permit and on the issuance of permits) for wind energy facilities and wind energy facility expansions in the State. Modifies the timeline for the study required by Section 13(d). Now requires: (1) the RFP be issued on or before September 1, 2017 (was, December 31, 2017); (2) a contract to award the RFP be executed on or before November 1, 2017 (was, June 30, 2018); and (3) the study be completed and submitted to the Legislative Services Officer on or before May 31, 2018 (was, June 30, 2019), in order to inform the development of policies during the 2018 Regular Session (was, the 2019-20 General Assembly). Adds a new provision directing that $150,000 reserved from the appropriation for pending legislation to support the requirements of this act to instead be used to support the study required by Section 13(d).