The North Carolina Legislature has overridden Governor Josh Stein’s veto of an energy bill, which removes the state’s previously established 70% carbon reduction target for 2030. The vote in the Senate was 30 to 18, and the House voted 74 to 46, enacting Senate Bill 266.
After the vote, concerned citizen Miltrene Newell highlighted rising costs, stating her energy bill jumped from $252 to $765. The new law keeps the 2050 Net Zero Mandate while allowing Duke Energy to recover costs for upcoming gas and nuclear plants even before they become operational. Supporters, including lawmakers, argue this will help maintain affordable electricity for data centers and factories, potentially saving consumers $13 billion.
However, critics warn that increased reliance on natural gas could lead to significant household fuel costs, with estimates suggesting up to $23 billion in additional expenses by 2050. Studies also predict potential losses of $47.2 billion in investments and the loss of 50,700 energy jobs annually due to the removal of the 2030 target.
Opponents accuse the legislation of transferring costs onto families while benefiting large corporations. Duke Energy claims the law will lead to lower costs and more reliable energy resources. Looking ahead, Duke will submit a revised long-term resource plan by the end of the year, pending scrutiny from consumer advocates. Newell emphasized the personal impact of these decisions, urging lawmakers to consider the financial burden on citizens.
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