NC Businesses Call for Commitment to Carbon Reduction Plan
RALEIGH, NC — North Carolina businesses sent a letter to state lawmakers opposing a Republican bill that would undo the state’s progress to build a clean energy economy and assure energy affordability.
Senate Bill 261 was filed by then state senator Paul Newton, a former Duke Energy executive. It would severely weaken House Bill 951, Energy Solutions for North Carolina, which passed in 2021 with strong bipartisan support and Duke Energy’s endorsement. Newton, who has been serving as the senate majority leader, unexpectedly resigned last week.
While some lawmakers tout the Energy Security and Affordability Act as a cost-saving measure, an analysis of a model created by legislative staff reveals inequitable savings for customers; with minimal savings for eastern North Carolina and Asheville customers; and a cost increase for customers in central and western North Carolina. The bill also allows Duke Energy to charge customers an additional fee to fund future construction projects.
“Our companies have each made commitments to scale up the use of clean energy in our operations,” the letter states. “These resources are cost-competitive, provide greater cost predictability...that’s why we are increasingly making investments in states that ensure access to clean energy for years to come. Companies like ours value a stable environment for energy policy.”
Businesses that signed the letter, which were recruited in partnership by Ceres and E2—an NRDC affiliate network of business leaders advocating for policies that are good for the environment and the economy—include Nestle, Ikea, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.
Following is a statement from Drew Ball, southeast campaigns director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):
“SB 261 kneecaps North Carolina’s ability to be competitive in a 21st-century economy. Businesses want to move to states that provide reliable, affordable energy options to meet the needs of their customers and their operations. The business community has made it clear they value clean, affordable, reliable energy.”
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).