RALEIGH – Today, the North Carolina legislature is expected to begin debate on a sweeping energy bill that would reshape the state’s power sector away from coal but towards natural gas, according to a just-released draft of the proposed legislation.
Following is a statement from Zach Amittay, Southeast Advocate for the nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs):
“Our legislators have some serious work to do if they want to advance forward-looking energy solutions for the people of North Carolina. While there are positive elements in this legislation that would move us towards a cleaner future, the proposal is marred by misguided investments and mandates that grant too much power to the monopoly utility, keep our state tied to imported and increasingly uncompetitive fossil fuels, and come at the expense of North Carolina ratepayers.
“As lawmakers take up this sweeping plan, they must remember that we can’t trade coal for gas. This legislation continues investing in dead-end fossil fuel infrastructure. Home-grown solar, offshore wind, energy efficiency – these are the real keys to creating local jobs, driving investments and ensuring a brighter future in North Carolina.
“North Carolina is home to nearly 100,000 clean energy jobs thanks in part to existing smart renewable energy policies. It’s critical that any energy legislation passed out of the Legislature keeps our state moving in the direction of a clean energy future.”
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For more information or for interview requests, please contact Michael Timberlake (913-645-9103; mtimberlake@e2.org).
Additional Resources:
- Clean Jobs America 2021 report, with the latest details on clean energy jobs in North Carolina and all 50 states.
- Clean Jobs North Carolina 2020, produced by E2 and the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, containing details on clean energy jobs for every city, county and congressional and legislative district in the state.
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E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) 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.