Renewable Energy

Reducing our dependency on foreign oil and our impact on global warming are not issues to be addressed in the future – they must be addressed today. The time for putting our heads in the sand is long past and where our federal government won’t go on these issues, our state government must.   

This past year, Walter Dalton walked the walk, and while we need to do more, he got North Carolina started in the right direction on renewable energy and global warming. He was a leader in passing groundbreaking legislation that established a renewable energy portfolio for North Carolina. The key provision requires that 12.5% of North Carolina's energy production come from energy efficiency or renewable energy by 2021. These requirements will help meet the increasing demand of energy required by our state's expanding population while insuring that this population growth does not produce more pollution.  Additionally, this initiative is an important economic engine that will create new jobs, spur new investments and decrease reliance on out-of-state energy imports. Here are more details:

• 12.5% Renewable and Efficiency Portfolio Standard by 2021 with up to 40% of the standard met through efficiency.
• Requires a specific solar requirement, equal to about 300 megawatts.
• Extends state tax credits for investments in renewable energy technologies to nonprofit entities.
• Allows North Carolina to join 24 other states in utilizing energy resources within the state rather than relying on foreign fuels.