Make Your Voice Heard – Advocate for a Stronger Climate Plan
Donald Trump and Congress have actively rolled back our nation’s progress on addressing the climate crisis even while states and communities face more costly energy prices due to Big Oil’s greed. The same goes for the pro-polluter Republican majority in North Carolina’s legislature.
However, Gov. Stein is still pushing our state for strong climate action. He recognizes the importance of clean air, clean drinking water, and the significant benefits of a clean energy economy.
The Inflation Reduction Act awarded our state $3 million to create a climate plan to reduce our state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) delivered that draft plan to the public and are accepting comments
Overall, this is a good plan – but we think our state can do more.
What the Plan Gets Right
There’s a lot this plan gets right. It demonstrates a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to clean energy, job creation, environmental justice, and emissions reductions. The proposed strategies not only address greenhouse gas emissions but also consider economic growth, equity in communication, and resilience to climate impacts. Key highlights include:
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- Expansion of microgrids and renewable power in Helene-impacted Western NC
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- Clean energy jobs for workers are in high demand and are anticipated to continue especially those for the wind, solar, electric vehicle construction and repair and building efficiency (construction) sectors; an additional 10,000 jobs by 2050
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- NCDEQ has developed and modeled three measures for the waste sector that collectively will reduce GHG emissions by 17% by 2030 and 25.3% by 2050
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- Improvements in outreach to rural communities and those without broadband internet: radio, fact sheets and other publications, local newspapers
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- Takes into consideration how to lower co-pollutants like NOx, SO2, and PM2.5
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- Create carbon sinks to sequester GHG emissions and embrace nature-based solutions for flood mitigation, sea level rise, and erosion for natural / working lands
How the Plan Can Improve
There are, however, a few areas where this plan could be strengthened. While the overall direction is positive, several key gaps remain that could limit the plan’s effectiveness in achieving its climate, equity, and resilience goals. Addressing these concerns would enhance both environmental and community outcomes across the state. These areas for improvement include:
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- Plans to reduce emissions do not account for increases in the power sector driven by AI infrastructure buildout, delays in coal plant closures, and continued investment in methane gas
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- Lack of focus on public transportation initiatives, despite transportation being North Carolina’s largest source of GHG emissions; consider adding state incentives for electric vehicles
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- Launch microgrids in Eastern NC, especially in high energy-burdened communities
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- Consider public-private partnerships with major retailers (e.g., Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Walmart) for discounted or free shopping days to incentivize food donations before expiration dates
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- Localize trash disposal rather than allowing localities in the Triangle to send their waste to Eastern NC, which fills local landfills and exacerbates biogas and environmental justice issues
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- Increase intentional public environmental education, such as partnering with public libraries to host energy efficiency workshops or community composting trainings
How to Submit a Comment
You can use our form to submit a pre-formatted email. You can even edit the email to include your story or experience.
Or you can submit your comment through DEQ’s form.
Please note: all comments submitted are considered public information and DEQ can share as such.
Support
We are able to push for climate action on the state level thanks to our supporters and donors. Help us reach more folks across our state and inspire action to protect our environment!