Creating a sustainable energy future for all

Due to a recent clean energy win at the legislature, North Carolina’s commercial property owners will soon have access to a key financing mechanism for energy-saving improvements through the authorization of Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE). With the passage of Senate Bill 802 by the N.C. General Assembly in late June and Gov. Roy…

Solar energy is one of North Carolina’s most promising forms of renewable energy. There are nearly 39,000 residential, commercial, and utility-scale systems throughout the state. “Solar farms” are one form of solar energy production. These are large tracts of voluntarily leased farmland, which are financially advantageous for the landowners.   Despite all of the advantages, there are…

What Can North Carolina Learn from Virginia’s Investments in Offshore Wind? The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Project in Virginia Beach is a great example of what could be done in North Carolina. John Larson of Dominion Energy recently joined NCSEA on the Squeaky Clean Energy Podcast to discuss the specifics of the project and…

When Duke Energy customers across the state got their utility bills earlier this year, many were shocked to find dramatic increases in the rates they were paying. The central reason: the high cost of natural gas.  In fact, EQ Research recently issued a report finding that between 46% and 67% (depending on where they live…

(Of note – the changes outlined in this blog took effect in October 2023.)  In 2023, the NC Utilities Commission approved changes to Duke Energy’s Net Energy Metering (NEM) policies for all customers-residential and nonresidential. These changes apply to both Duke Energy Carolina and Duke Energy Progress. It’s important for customers to understand the net…

Expediting OSW Development and Resource Diversification in NC (CPIRP) Duke Energy’s Carbon Plan (CPIRP) proceedings will continue to have huge impacts on the state of North Carolina for decades to come, defining how quickly our state can transition to renewable energy sources and who will reap the benefits. In a series of regulatory proceedings, NCSEA,…

The coming months are hugely important to North Carolina’s future as the North Carolina Utilities Commission reviews, and ultimately decides, Duke Energy’s plans for the next several decades.  This Carbon Plan / Integrated Resource Plan (CPIRP) process will lay out how Duke Energy produces electricity for decades and, as a result, how much we pay.…

Customers Want More Clean Energy, but Why Isn’t There Any to Buy? North Carolina is home to numerous international corporations, many of which have ambitious sustainability goals. Currently, North Carolina is home to over 1,224 business-owned renewable energy projects, with ever-growing demand. Since 2017, Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage (GSA) Program has offered large public…

Some of North Carolina’s largest housing developers are once again pushing the General Assembly to weaken building codes and roll back fire safety measures, all while trying to boost the building industry’s influence on the state’s appointed Building Code Council.  State legislators created the NC Building Code Council (NCBCC) in 1933 and authorized it to,…

New residential solar and battery storage incentive program approved in January, takes effect in May.  On January 11, the NC Utilities Commission approved a landmark pilot program called ‘PowerPair’ designed to lower the costs of new solar and battery storage systems for residential customers in Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress utility territories across…