North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has established a new energy task force via executive order to address the state’s electricity infrastructure and energy affordability as demand increases.
Co-chaired by Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson and Republican state Rep. Kyle Hall, the North Carolina Energy Policy Task Force will seek to keep energy costs low for residents as the state is quickly becoming a data center hub for artificial intelligence.
“North Carolina is a leader in the clean energy economy and is home to more than 100,000 clean energy jobs,” Stein said in a statement. “I am grateful for this task force helping to determine how our state can build on this economic momentum, meet growing energy demands, and ensure electricity is affordable for North Carolinians.”
Due to federal cuts to clean energy and manufacturing tax credits after components of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 were repealed by the Donald Trump administration, the task force has been directed to determine how the state can manage increased energy demands while continuing to meet economic development and environmental protection goals.
“I am proud to co-chair this task force,” Wilson said. “As our growing state’s demand for electricity increases, transitioning to clean energy will help ensure affordable prices for ratepayers.”
Hall said in a statement that because North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation for data and manufacturing, the state needs to meet this demand while keeping prices low for residents.
“This bipartisan task force will find real solutions that continue to foster growth and keep more money in North Carolinians’ wallets,” Hall said.
Since taking office in January, Stein has announced more than $4.9 billion in new investments and more than 15,000 new jobs from clean energy and clean technology companies. This includes JetZero’s plan to manufacture high-efficiency, low-emissions aircraft, and Boviet Solar, which established a new solar module factory in Greenville.
The task force will submit an annual report to the Governor, the General Assembly, the North Carolina Utilities Commission and the North Carolina Rural Electrification Authority.
