To: Interested Parties
From: Governor Cooper’s Communications Team
RE: Presentation of the NC Clean Energy Plan and Clean Energy Week, September 22-27
Governor Roy Cooper is committed to policies that help North Carolina combat climate change. On Monday, Governor Cooper will join coastal leaders gathered in Washington, NC to discuss the potential for renewable energy and the critical role of resiliency to Coastal communities frequently facing flooding and sea -level rise. He will sign a proclamation declaring September 22-27, 2019 as Clean Energy Week.
In the last two years:
- Governor Cooper has been nationally recognized for his leadership on climate change and renewables, including Executive order 80 and its greenhouse gas reduction goal
- North Carolina joined in the Climate Alliance along with 24 other states to advocate for greenhouse gas emission reductions
- North Carolina has grown significant renewable energy accomplishments, such as ranking 2ndin the United States in solar energy
In October 2018, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 80. Among other things, the order affirms North Carolina’s commitment to reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 2005 levels by 2025. To help achieve this goal, the order establishes the North Carolina Climate Change Interagency Council and directs cabinet agencies to develop strategic plans in key areas. It also directs actions for increased energy savings in state buildings.
At Friday’s meeting of the North Carolina Climate Change Interagency Council, the Council will submit to the North Carolina Clean Energy Plan to the Governor, which will detail ways to reduce carbon emissions while prioritizing renewable energy, job growth and affordable electricity rates are foundations of the North Carolina Clean Energy Plan.
Three other plans will be presented Friday at the Council meeting that will lay out strategies to increase Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) use in the public sector and the private sector and grow jobs in North Carolina’s clean energy and clean transportation sectors.
This Clean Energy Week, Governor Cooper’s Cabinet will raise awareness about clean energy opportunities across our state:
- DEQ will host a mayoral roundtable in Washington, NC, on Clean Energy and Resiliency in eastern NC
- DOT will share a video to explain how its ZEV plan will grow use of Zero Emission Vehicles in North Carolina
- The N.C. Department of Administration will tour the recently renovated Steam Plant, noting its energy efficient features