Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina is facing criticism for his focus on promoting the transition to renewable energy sources in the state, specifically wind and solar. An opinion article published in the Charlotte Observer argues that while Cooper's emphasis on job creation in the renewable energy sector is commendable, it may overlook the need for streamlined processes and efficient energy production. The article suggests that the profitability of the clean energy sector is often sustained by government subsidies, which can create an artificial economic landscape. To achieve a fully carbon-free future, the author proposes a dual strategy that includes scaling up energy production from small-scale nuclear reactors and expanding pipeline infrastructure for natural gas as a transition fuel. The focus, according to the article, should be on efficiency and reliable, dispatchable energy sources [5eb55ca7].
The criticism of Governor Cooper's green energy agenda comes in the context of North Carolina's achievements in the clean energy sector. Cooper recently highlighted the state's commitment to a clean energy economy and its plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions during his keynote speech at the Financial Times-Nikkei Investing in America Summit. The state's appeal for foreign investment in the clean energy sector was further demonstrated by Toyota's announcement of an additional $8 billion investment in its electric battery manufacturing site in Randolph County. These developments position North Carolina as a leader in clean energy and job creation [08efa6da].
In addition to the focus on renewable energy, an opinion article published in WRAL TechWire discusses the potential benefits of regional smart city collaboration in the Triangle area of North Carolina. The article highlights the success of the Town of Morrisville in implementing smart city initiatives and emphasizes the importance of using data and technology to enhance the quality of services, improve residents' quality of life, and promote economic development. The author suggests that local governments should embrace smart city innovation and shares ideas for establishing a Wake County Smart City Task Force to accelerate collaboration and share best practices. The article also mentions the upcoming Connected Triangle+ Summit, where city leaders, policymakers, and tech companies will gather to explore options for regional collaboration [32fef2f2].
Furthermore, North Carolina has taken steps to promote environmental justice policies. Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 292, which reestablishes the Governor's Environmental Justice Advisory Council and directs cabinet agencies to develop environmental justice goals. The order also calls for the creation of an Environmental Justice Hub and the conduct of cumulative-impact research. The chair of the advisory council highlighted the potential benefits of the initiative for the state. Other states and the Biden Administration have also taken steps to advance environmental justice [d1a60d30].
In other news, Duke Energy, a major energy company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized as one of America's Most JUST Companies for the second consecutive year. The company ranked 57th overall, up from 79th in 2023. The JUST 100 ranking, determined by JUST Capital and CNBC, evaluates how the nation's largest companies perform on issues that matter most to Americans. Duke Energy's clean energy transition, goals, performance, and progress on strategic business priorities were highlighted in the evaluation. The company plans to invest $145 billion over the next decade to support the critical energy infrastructure needed to meet customers' needs and achieve net-zero emissions. Duke Energy is also committed to increasing diversity in its workforce, with new aspirational goals of 23% people of color and 28% women. The company aims to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Duke Energy is on track to own or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company has also received recognition on Fortune's 'World's Most Admired Companies' list and Forbes' 'America's Best Employers' list [6a8992cd] [08efa6da].