WHEREAS, reliable energy is fundamental to the lives of all North Carolinians and businesses; and
WHEREAS, as North Carolina’s energy industry becomes more dynamic with new technologies, older facilities will continue to be retired or upgraded in coming years; and
WHEREAS, the energy industry provides durable careers to thousands of residents serving our communities across North Carolina; as older workers retire, new energy professionals are needed to maintain a skilled and innovative workforce; and
WHEREAS, in a 2019 Clean Energy and Clean Transportation workforce assessment, the North Carolina Department of Commerce found that our state has a large clean economy workforce in a range of industries and occupations, and that North Carolina is meeting current clean economy workforce needs overall, in large part because of its strong workforce and education systems; and
WHEREAS, energy related professions include line workers, engineers, customer service representatives, project managers, energy auditors, site surveyors, power plant operators, insulation installers, electricians, power-line installers, construction laborers, operating engineers, lighting installers, energy raters, team assemblers, HVAC mechanics and installers, building and energy services performance contractors, plumbers, carpenters, renewable energy installers, and weatherization laborers, among many others; each of these positions is valued and necessary; and
WHEREAS, when natural disasters strike, such as ice storms or hurricanes, energy professionals mobilize toward the affected areas to restore power and return life to normal; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is committed to ensuring that our residents have access to rewarding careers in energy so that our state can continue to grow and prosper;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 19 – 23, 2020, as “CAREERS IN ENERGY WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.