North Carolina’s Senate is moving to eliminate the 70% carbon-reduction target previously set for 2030, which would reduce rates and slow development of solar-energy projects over the next decade or so, according to an analysis by the N.C. Public Staff.
On Thursday, the Senate passed and sent to the House its proposal to eliminate the 70% goal legislators approved four years ago. Senate Bill 261 cleared the chamber just three after its introduction. It passed by a veto-proof 31-12, with Democratic Sens. Dan Blue, Paul Lowe and Joyce Waddell joining every Republican who was present.
The Public Staff is an affiliate of the N.C. Utilities Commission with a mission of representing ratepayers’ interest. Senate leaders who introduced Senate Bill 261 asked the Public Staff to study what the change in the 2030 target would mean for various parties, including Duke Energy and rate payers.
The Charlotte-based utility, which is the…
