Michelle “Meech” Carter, Clean Energy Campaigns Director, on NC’s Clean Energy in 2024

A lot has changed in North Carolina’s clean energy landscape. We’ve selected some of the highlights from this past year and are hopeful our work in 2025 will advance a clean, affordable future for our state.

Statewide Elections and Power

First, North Carolina retained key statewide elected positions held by environmental champions (Governor, Attorney General) and gained additional pro-environment powers, such as the Lieutenant Governorship. Additionally, we helped break the veto-proof supermajority in the General Assembly.

In retaliation, the 2024 lame duck legislature passed SB 382, a “Hurricane Helene relief bill” that was a coordinated power grab by pro-polluter Republican legislative leadership. This bill includes several energy related changes, including preventing new Governor Josh Stein from appointing a majority of commissioners on the NC Utilities Commission by giving one of the governor’s appointments to the Treasurer. It also prevents new Attorney General Jeff Jackson from litigating at the NC Utilities Commission and from participating in lawsuits where action by the legislature is being constitutionally challenged. These legislative actions are of questionable constitutionality and are being challenged.

2024 Carbon Plan

One of the biggest developments in the energy landscape was the approval of this year’s Carbon Plan by the NC Utilities Commission. The Carbon Plan outlined how the state will meet its ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions from the power sector by 70% by 2030, with a broader target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. However, this year’s update of the Carbon Plan firmly cements the state into missing the 70% carbon reduction target by 2030, pushing it instead to 2035. This Carbon Plan also approved the impending buildout of methane gas plants to replace coal. The Carolinas will see one of the largest investments in methane gas in the United States. So far, seven gas plants have been approved and we will see more proposed in the next Carbon Plan.

Rollback of Building Codes

We also saw SB 166 roll back building codes for homebuilders throughout the state. The most significant aspect of the building code changes was the relaxation of energy efficiency standards for new construction, including residential and commercial buildings. The General Assembly reduced or eliminated certain requirements for insulation, energy-efficient windows, and HVAC system standards. This change is a reversal of some of the progressive steps taken in previous years to increase the energy performance of new buildings, which were aimed at reducing long-term energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

NCLCV’s Work in 2025

Looking to 2025, NCLCV is optimistic that the energy landscape will continue to expand renewable power, especially through the incentives from Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) programs. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality plans to launch their Home Energy Rebates programs, expanding access to energy efficiency technologies for low- and moderate-income households. Solar for All, another program from the IRA, will install solar on low- to moderate-income households beginning at the end of 2025. NCLCV also plans to continue our fight against new gas plants and pipelines while expanding new, renewable energy. 

Want to learn more about any of this work or get involved? Email Meech at meech@nclcv.org.