Gov. Roy Cooper’s Climate Change Interagency Council presented four key plans to modernize NC’s electricity system.
Last year, Gov. Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 80 to reaffirm the state’s commitment to fighting climate change and lead North Carolina’s transition to a clean energy economy. In response, the Climate Change Interagency Council presented four key plans to the governor on Sept. 27.
The council presented Gov. Cooper with:
- The Clean Energy Plan from the Department of Environmental Quality, which calls for 70 percent reduction in power sector greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2030 with carbon neutrality by 2050.
- The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Plan from the Department of Transportation, which identifies strategic actions to support the goal set out in Executive Order 80 of 80,000 registered ZEVs by 2025.
- The Motor Fleet ZEV plan from the Department of Administration, which identifies over 550 state vehicles that can feasibly be replaced with an EV, saving the state approximately $3.8 million, and provides action steps for shifting the state motor fleet to include more EVs.
- The Clean Energy and Clean Transportation Workforce Assessment from the Department of Commerce, which will provide a clear picture of the industries and occupations that make up North Carolina’s clean economy.
According to NFIB’s Energy Consumption poll, energy costs are one of the top three business expenses for 35 percent of small businesses. And for 38 percent of business owners, operating vehicles is among the main energy cost.
Small business owners are not able to change business practices fast enough to offset the increases, such as affording new, more energy-efficient equipment, and are effectively caught in a squeeze.
The Climate Council is scheduled to meet again in November. The final plan documents and latest updates are available online at https://deq.nc.gov/eo80-plans-and-progress.
