WHEREAS, Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order No. 80 “North Carolina’s Commitment to Address Climate Change and Transition to a Clean Energy Economy” established goals of a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 40% reduction in energy consumption in state-owned buildings, registration of 80,000 zero-emission vehicles by 2025, and directs actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and spur clean energy economic opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Clean Energy Plan, developed per EO 80 with stakeholder input, established the goals of reducing power sector greenhouse gas emissions 70% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and provides recommendations for achieving those goals; and
WHEREAS, Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 218 “Advancing North Carolina’s Economic and Clean Energy Future with Offshore Wind” establishes offshore wind development targets of 2.8 gigawatts of offshore wind energy resources off the North Carolina coast by 2030, 8.0 gigawatts by 2040, and directs the North Carolina Department of Commerce to establish the N.C. Taskforce for Offshore Wind Economic Resource Strategies; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina ranks third nationally for installed energy capacity, ninth for clean energy jobs, and first for clean energy jobs in rural areas with benefits in all 100 counties of the state, employing almost 99,670 North Carolinians across multiple occupations advancing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other energy resources; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina benefited from approximately $19.8 billion of clean energy investment between 2007 and 2020, and at least 30 of North Carolina’s largest 50 private employers have targets for renewable energy, electric vehicles, energy conservation, and/or greenhouse gas emission reductions; and
WHEREAS, clean energy improves public health by reducing air pollution and other environmental impacts that result from fossil fuel use and often disproportionately impact overburdened communities and communities of color; and
WHEREAS, research and innovation in clean energy technologies is advanced by North Carolina’s colleges and universities, as well as collaboration with local and state partners, local municipalities, economic development, business leaders, and many others; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages individuals and organizations to observe Clean Energy Week by learning about and adopting solutions that advance America’s clean energy opportunities in the 21st Century;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 20-25, 2021, as “NORTH CAROLINA CLEAN ENERGY WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.