On January 7, Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 246, which strengthens North Carolina’s carbon emission reduction goals, emphasizing transportation decarbonization and equity in the state’s transition to a clean economy.
The following is a statement from Zach Amittay, Southeast Advocate for the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs):
“Governor Cooper’s latest executive order is a critical step toward pushing North Carolina to be a leader in the clean energy transition while advancing environmental justice.
“Clean energy sectors already employ nearly 100,000 North Carolinians. The economic activity generated by these accelerated emissions and electric vehicle targets will drive continued growth for businesses and workers across the state.
“Now is the time for the Cooper administration to take concrete actions. That includes finalizing rulemaking to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which would represent a big leap towards achieving our ambitious climates goals while generating significant revenue to invest in frontline communities and expand the benefits of our growing clean energy economy. And that also includes expeditious adoption of standards like the Advanced Clean Cars and Advanced Clean Truck rules that are already growing the clean transportation sector in other states across the country. ”
For more information or for interview requests, please contact Michael Timberlake (913-645-9103; mtimberlake@e2.org).
###
Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org