Raleigh – North Carolina’s Environmental Management Commission (EMC) today approved a petition for the state to begin the rulemaking process to join the 11-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The multi-state program curbs carbon emissions from power plants by placing a declining cap on CO2 emissions from the states’ electric power generation sector and reinvests permit proceeds in clean projects like home weatherization and renewable energy installations. Should NC join RGGI at the end of the rulemaking process, it would become just the second Southern state in the program, with Virginia having joined RGGI in 2020.
The following is a statement from Zach Amittay, Southeast Advocate for the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs):
“The EMC has clearly made the right choice for North Carolina’s economy and environment. Reducing carbon emissions while driving investment and job growth in the booming clean energy economy and helping families save money on their energy bills should always be an easy decision. Clean energy businesses employ 100,000 North Carolinians, and today’s vote means we are one step closer to the next hundred thousand.”
The following is a statement from Ethan Blumenthal, Co-Founder and CEO of Good Solar:
“Today’s vote gives me hope for the future of my home state. While RGGI is no silver bullet and it will take other policies and programs for us to realize the full potential of North Carolina’s clean energy economy, joining RGGI would represent a big step towards realizing Governor Cooper’s climate and clean energy commitments. Better still, RGGI would mean millions of dollars reinvested in clean projects like distributed solar and building weatherization throughout our state, including in under-resourced communities and for low-income families who are too often left out of the picture.”
###
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.