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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, methane is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, accounting for about 16 percent of global emissions. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 29, 2024

North Carolina weighs in on Duke Energy's methane gas proposal

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is giving residents a chance to voice their opinion on a plan which could influence how their electricity is g…

A Charlotte Earth Day event will provide children with an Earth Passport, which will help guide them through four

A focus on environmental protection, advocacy for NC Earth Day

April is Earth Month, and North Carolina's climate justice groups are addressing the crucial roles of air, land, water and health in protecting the …

Farmers can combine renewable energy, such as solar panels, with crops on their property, a process known as agrivoltaics, to maximize the revenues from their farmland. (Adobe Stock)

Solar leases help NC farm owners up revenues, keep homestead

By Daniel Walton for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pu…

Appalachian Voices claims some of the data presented by Mountain Valley Pipeline regarding its Southgate extension project is misleading. (Adobe Stock)

NC groups demand changes to Mountain Valley Pipeline's Southgate extension

Environmental groups in North Carolina are demanding changes to the Southgate extension of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Ridge Graham, North …

Access to EV charging is expected to increase significantly in the coming years as a result of government initiatives in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. (Adobe Stock)

Expanding EV infrastructure for environmental equity in NC

The number of electric vehicles in North Carolina has surged in the past five years, with about 70,000 people now driving them. Advocates said …

The Inflation Reduction Act and other federal legislation are putting hundreds of billions of dollars toward programs to spur clean energy usage, but many energy companies aren't using the money. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: NC utility slow to shift away from fossil fuel dependence

New data from the Sierra Club shows Duke energy is slow to reduce fossil fuel dependence and lower costs for customers. The utility and its …

Atrium Health is one of the businesses committing to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Care Sector Pledge, aiming to reduce emissions by 50% percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NC Faces Urgent Need for Clean Air, Climate Action

North Carolina is grappling with the consequences of climate change, with sweltering summers, a surge in wildfires, and frequent extreme weather …

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the proposed standards for coal and natural gas power plants would result in avoiding up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions through 2042. (Adobe Stock)

Deadline Nears to Comment on Proposed NC Pollution Standards

Climate change is a pressing concern as the world deals with heat waves and poor air quality caused by recent wildfires. To safeguard the health and …

Those who cannot attend the public hearing can submit written comments either online or via mail with Docket No. E-7 Sub 1276. (Adobe Stock)

NC Group Opposes Duke Energy Carolinas' Proposed Rate Hikes

CleanAIRE NC, an environmental advocacy group, is urging North Carolinians to speak out for economic stability and environmental justice in response …

The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that in 2021, diesel fuel consumption spewed about 472 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. (Adobe Stock)<br />

North Carolina Seeks Input from Residents on Advanced Clean Trucks Rule

North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality hosts a virtual public information session today on changes the state is considering to boost the…

Air pollution irritates the lungs and respiratory system, and even healthy people can have trouble taking deep breaths on

Current NC Carbon Plan Falls Short on Public Health

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is expected to release its final Carbon Plan by the end of the year. Critics say the current plan, which …

In order to avoid the worst effects of climate change, utilities must transition to at least 80% clean energy by 2030, says a Sierra Club report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Duke Energy 'Greenwashes' Heavy Fossil-Fuel Dependency

Duke Energy is out of step with the science showing North Carolina needs to put the brakes on fossil fuels in order to avoid the worst impacts of clim…

A 2021 report from the Energy Transition Institute puts the

Critics Say Utilities Panel Not Doing Enough to Shape NC Carbon Plan

Advocates are contending North Carolina state agencies are not doing enough to slow down the devastating impacts of climate change. Last year Gov…

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, Americans spent $6 billion more on at-home energy consumption during 2020, compared to before the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

NC Could See Larger Utility Bills; Duke Blames Rise in Fuel Costs

North Carolina's largest utility company said rising fuel costs are making it more expensive to bring power to consumers and is proposing a rate hike …

In 2020, the U.S. natural gas pipeline network transported around 27 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. (Adobe Stock)

Behind Schedule, Mountain Valley Pipeline Wants Permit Extension

Developers of a more than 300-mile natural gas pipeline which would run through North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia wants a permit extension …

Electricity consumers in states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative are on track to save $15 billion on their utility bills, according to a 2020 report released by the initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Joining Regional Initiative Could Help NC Meet Climate Goals

North Carolina wants to reduce carbon emissions from its power plants by 70% by 2030, but experts say the state is currently not on track to meet its …

Electric-car sales reached a record 3 million in 2020, up 40% from 2019, according to the International Energy Agency. (Adobe Stock)

NC Pushes for Electric Trucks, School Buses to Cut Carbon Emissions

North Carolina businesses and advocacy groups want Gov. Roy Cooper to adopt new heavy-duty electric-vehicle rules by the end of next year. They say …

Under legislation passed in 2021, North Carolina has set goal to cut carbon emissions from energy plants owned and/or operated by Duke Energy by 70% from 2005 levels by 2030, and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Hearings Offer Chance to Comment on Duke Energy's Carbon Plan

A series of in-person hearings across the state in the coming weeks will give North Carolinians a chance for input on a proposal by Duke Energy to cut…

The 2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report stated,

NC Faith Leaders Call on U.S. to Pay 'Fair Share' for Climate-Related Loss

Faith and climate leaders convene in Charlotte this week, as the Southeast Climate and Energy Network and US Climate Action Network join forces…

Old-growth forests hold far more carbon than younger forests, helping to protect people from fossil-fuel emissions, according to research published in National Geographic. (Adobe Stock)

NC Groups Hope White House Works to Protect Old-Growth Forests

By Bryce Oates for The Daily Yonder. Broadcast version by Chance Dorland for North Carolina News Service, reporting for The Daily Yonder-Public News …

North Carolina will fall short of its 2025 and 2030 climate targets without additional policies put in place to curb emissions, says a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Without Action, NC Will Fall Short on 2025 Climate Goals

Executive orders aimed at driving down greenhouse-gas emissions are still not enough to reach North Carolina's 50% reduction goal by 2030, a report …

Harmful chemicals known as PFAS have been detected in the drinking water of nearly two dozen public water systems across North Carolina, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Leaders Gather in NC for Health-Equity Conference

National environmental leaders gather this week in Salisbury to discuss how North Carolina can better address the disproportionate public health impac…

Plastic and litter pollution disproportionately affects marginalized communities, where residents often live in close proximity to plastic-production and waste sites, according to the United Nations Environment Program. (Adobe Stock)

During Black History Month, NC Groups Push for More Say on Climate Policies

North Carolina environmental-justice groups are calling for increased representation in crafting state policies related to environmental issues…

Gov. Roy Cooper's new executive order is titled

NC Executive Order Focuses on Environmental Justice, Public Input

Gov. Roy Cooper has signed a new executive order that directs cabinet agencies to consider issues of environmental justice when taking actions …

Some four out of ten U.S. residents - 135 million people - live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the 2021 State of the Air report by the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)

NC Scientist Says Climate Action Needed Now to Protect Human Health

RALEIGH, N.C. - Higher temperatures driven by climate change will likely make air pollution worse, and one North Carolina scientist says action is …

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, North Carolina consumes almost four times as much energy as is produced in the state. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Pull Back the Curtain: Webinars Cover Energy Policy for NC Residents

RALEIGH, N.C. - Experts say an increasing number of people are sharing their views with state regulatory agencies about rate cases and clean energy…

Industrial consumers, environmental advocates and residential ratepayers in North Carolina have voiced concerns over a new energy bill critics say was created with outsized input from Duke Energy. (Adobe Stock)

NC Energy Bill Gets Criticism for Cost, Climate-Change Effectiveness

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Critics of an energy bill moving through the North Carolina General Assembly say it would cost several hundred-million dollars over …

Seven in ten North Carolina voters believe climate impacts like erratic weather and stronger storms will have costly effects on residents, according to a poll by the Environmental Defense Action Fund. (Adobe Stock)

Environmentalists Say State Must Focus on “Interconnected” Climate Solutions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The state's Environmental Management Commission this week green-lighted a plan to cut carbon emissions from power plants. The …

North Carolina could join the 11 states that make up the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a market-based collective to cap and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from the power sector. (Adobe Stock)

NC Steps Closer to Joining States Committed to Reducing Carbon Emissions

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A state environmental committee is considering a proposal to set a process in motion to reduce carbon emissions from power plants…

Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order with an 8,000-megawatt target for offshore wind-energy generation by 2040. (agrarmotive/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Expanding Offshore Wind Capacity Good for NC Economy

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Groups advocating for clean energy say Gov. Roy Cooper's recent commitment to expand North Carolina's offshore wind capacity will …

According to a 2017 National Renewable Energy Lab report, North Carolina's coast has more offshore wind potential than any other state along the Atlantic coast. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Biden Administration Greenlights Offshore Wind in NC

RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina is ramping up plans to lease offshore wind-energy areas to developers, as the Biden administration expresses support …

A 2020 poll by the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters found 56% of North Carolina residents think a major coronavirus-like mobilization is required to ward off the worst impacts of climate change. (Adobe Stock)

With NC Native Heading EPA, Local Officials Build on Renewed Climate Focus

DURHAM, N.C. -- North Carolina leaders said the state is well-positioned to tackle climate change while boosting local economies, especially with …

The Biden administration says a thriving offshore wind industry will drive new jobs and economic opportunity, on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico. (Adobe Stock)

NC Poised for New Jobs, Major Investment in Wind Energy

WILMINGTON, N.C. - North Carolina is poised to be a major player in the wind-power industry, and the Biden administration says it has a $3 billion …

In cities like Wilmington, N.C., Black residents are more likely to live in areas with higher levels of air particles known as

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Biden Executive Orders Prioritize Climate, Environmental Justice

RALEIGH, N.C. -- President Joe Biden will release a slew of executive orders aimed at curbing pollution, conserving natural lands, and addressing …

Climate change could result in the displacement of more than 140 million people - particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America - before 2050, according to a 2018 World Bank Group report. (Adobe Stock)

As NC Temps Rise, Climate Migrants Expected to Increase

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Experts say food shortages, housing insecurity and other hardships many North Carolinians are experiencing from the pandemic could …

Wind has the potential to support over 600,000 jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance and supporting services by 2050, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Poll: Most NC Voters Support Offshore Wind, 100% Clean Energy

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A new poll found more than six in 10 North Carolina voters think the state should be prioritizing wind and solar energy. Nearly 90% …

Abbott Park, a mobile home park in Lumberton, N.C. Researchers examining the health effects of rising temperatures in counties like Robeson are looking at how higher temperatures can affect residents and exacerbate social vulnerabilities. (Julia Wall/JWALL@NEWSOBSERVER.COM)

Heat Illness Hits Rural NC; Climate Change Means More Risk

Print version by Adam Wagner Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan Reporting for The Raleigh News & Observer - North Carolina News Service collaborati…

States such as North Carolina hope offshore wind farms will create more green jobs. (Adobe Stock)

3-State Pact Jumpstarts NC Offshore Wind Development

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia have formally agreed to collaborate on advancing offshore wind projects and jobs in a …

The Southern Blue Ridge Mountains are among the most climate-resilient landscapes in the U.S., according to new research by a team of scientists at The Nature Conservancy. (Adobe Stock)

Map Reveals Biodiverse “Hotspots” to Help Species Survive Climate Change

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Animals are on the move to escape rising temperatures and increased floods and drought, but some could find refuge in North …

Gov. Roy Cooper's Clean Energy Plan calls on North Carolina utilities to reduce carbon emissions by 70% by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Duke Energy Plans to Add Wind Power to Cut Carbon Emissions

RALEIGH, N.C. -- For the first time, Duke Energy is including wind power in its Integrated Resource Plan, an outline of how the state's largest …

North Carolinians who are behind on their utility bills could be disconnected when the shutoff moratorium expires Saturday. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Heat Wave, Utility Shutoffs Loom for 1 Million in NC

RALEIGH, N.C. -- As temperatures soar above 100 degrees in some regions, more than 1 million North Carolina households could lose access to air …

It's estimated more than a half million clean energy jobs in the United States have been lost this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

NC Continues to Lead Southeast in Solar Energy Usage

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Duke Energy remains the region's leader in installed solar capacity, but can no longer claim to have half of all the solar in the …

Nationwide, most coal ash is disposed into lined landfills, known as ponds, often located near power plants where the coal was burned. (Adobe Stock)

Judge Revokes Coal-Ash Fill Permits for Chatham, Lee Counties

RALEIGH, N.C. - A judge in Raleigh has revoked permits that would have allowed coal ash to be dumped at mine sites in Chatham and Lee counties…

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is being challenged for not making the same shift as many other schools nationwide, from using coal to natural gas for energy. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Claims UNC-Chapel Hill Violated Clean Air Act

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - A pending lawsuit against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill claims the school is violating the federal Clean Air …

More than 400 companies in North Carolina are involved in the solar industry. (Adobe Stock)

Solar Company Honored for Commitment to Improving NC Air Quality

RALEIGH, N.C. — Solar energy in North Carolina is growing in popularity, and one Winston-Salem-based solar panel installation company has …

Under the Clean Air Act, states have authority to adopt stronger vehicle-pollution standards than those set by the federal government. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Begins Battle with States Over Auto-Emissions Standards

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Trump administration is challenging states' authority to set their own car emissions standards. Last week, Environmental …

Much research on solar energy tends to leave out solar's benefits beyond the grid, according to a new report by Environment America. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Solar Energy Provides NC Benefits Beyond the Grid

RALEIGH, N.C. - Solar energy provides North Carolinians with environmental and health benefits that often are overlooked, according to a new report…

More than 90 percent of companies in the S&P Global 100 Index view extreme weather and climate change as a current or future risk to their business, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. (Adobe Stock)

Business Leaders Gather in Charlotte to Share Climate-Change Perspectives

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Storms, hurricanes, and flooding have cost cities around the country billions of dollars, and today in Charlotte, business …

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NC: Energy Policy