Governor Josh Stein Creates a New Task Force to Improve Energy Affordability
Last week Gov. Josh Stein signed Executive Order 23 to establish a new task force on energy affordability in North Carolina.
A news release from the governor’s office describes the new Energy Affordability Task Force as an effort to “strengthen the state’s electricity infrastructure and energy affordability as demand increases.”
“This Executive Order continues the state’s leadership in the clean energy economy. Despite federal cuts to clean energy and manufacturing tax credits, Governor Stein is charging the task force with determining how the state can remain steadfast in keeping utility costs affordable for North Carolinians, meeting its economic development and environmental protection goals, and managing increasing energy demand.”
“North Carolina is a leader in the clean energy economy and is home to more than 100,000 clean energy jobs,” said Gov. Stein. “I am grateful for this task force helping to determine how our state can build on this economic momentum, meet growing energy demands, and ensure electricity is affordable for North Carolinians.”
Bipartisan Task Force
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Reid Wilson and NC Representative Kyle Hall (R-Stokes) will co-lead the full task force.
“I am proud to co-chair this task force,” said Co-Chair and DEQ Secretary Wilson. “As our growing state’s demand for electricity increases, transitioning to clean energy will help ensure affordable prices for ratepayers.”
The 26-member Task Force includes bipartisan representation from the state legislature, state government agencies, industry, public utilities, and clean energy advocates. Such advocates include representatives from the the Environmental Defense Fund, Southeastern Wind Coalition, the Sierra Club, the Southern Environmental Law Center, and the NC Sustainable Energy Association.
Solutions to Growing Electricity Demand
In an interview with WRAL News to comment on the new task force, Will Scott, the Southeast Climate and Clean Energy Director for the Environmental Defense Fund, called such efforts crucial for both environmental protection and meeting new energy demands.
“Electricity demand is growing faster than we can build traditional power plants like gas, nuclear, coal,” he said. “And so our best options are things like solar and batteries that can be installed really quickly – or innovative things like incentivizing people who turn down their hot water heaters, put batteries in their houses. We’re going to have to think outside the box in order to meet unprecedented electricity demand in the 21st century.”
