North Carolina Moves Closer To Being A Carbon Neutral State

State Overview

The population of the state of North Carolina is approximately 10.83 million people. North Carolina is the 9^th most populated state in in the United States.

In 2022, North Carolina’s economy was ranked 10^th in the United States in gross domestic product (GDP). The state’s economy is dependent on the manufacturing, automobile, aerospace, biotechnology, agriculture, and tourism industries.

Environmental Policies

In 2007, North Carolina enacted a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard, requiring investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative utilities to sell 12.5% of all electricity from renewable energy sources by 2021.

In 2019, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued the Clean Energy Plan, which requires electric utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 70% below 2005 levels by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Power Generation Capabilities

In April 2023, utilities used nuclear power (39.2%), natural gas (37.5%), renewable energy (18.6%), and coal (4.7%), and to generate electricity in North Carolina. Solar and hydropower are the dominant types of renewable energy used to generate electricity in North Carolina.

In April 2023, the average cost for residential electricity in North Carolina was 13.21¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 16.11¢ per kWh.

Recent renewable energy developments in North Carolina include:

• 800 MW Offshore Wind Farm – Spanish utility, Avangrid is continuing work on the Kitty Hawk North Offshore Wind project, which is located approximately 27 miles off the North Carolina Outer Banks. The project is forecast to be commissioned in 2026.
• 108 MW Solar Project – In July 2021, North Carolina solar company, Pine Gate Renewables commissioned the Trent River Solar project at a site near the Outer Banks region in eastern North Carolina.
• 70 MW Solar Project – In December 2021, North Carolina renewable energy company, NARENCO commissioned the Stanly Solar project at a site approximately 80 miles southwest of the state capital, Raleigh.
• 69 MW Solar Park – In March 2021, Duke Energy commissioned the Maiden Creek Solar project at a site approximately 35 miles northwest of the city of Charlotte.
• 25 MW Solar Park – In March 2021, Duke Energy commissioned the Gaston Solar project at a site approximately 25 miles west of the city of Charlotte.
• 23 MW Solar Project – In April 2023, Duke Energy commissioned the Stony Knoll Solar project at a site approximately 100 miles north of the city of Charlotte.

Conclusion

North Carolina’s last commercial coal mine closed in 1953. The coal that is used to fuel the state’s power plants is transported by rail from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Kentucky.

In 2010, 56.2% of North Carolina’s electricity was generated from coal-fueled power plants. In April 2023, only 4.7% of the state’s electricity was generated from coal. Why the dramatic decrease?

1. Pollution – Coal ash, the product of coal burned in a power plant contains arsenic, mercury, and lead; which are toxic. In 2019, coal ash was documented to have leaked into the ground water around 241 coal-fired plants in America.
2. Economics – The cost to generate power from coal is more than double the cost to generate power from renewables, like solar.
3. Climate Change – Coal generates 40% to 45% more greenhouse gases than natural gas.

In April 2023, 50.7% of North Carolina’s electricity was generated from zero carbon power plants (nuclear and renewable energy). North Carolina is making real progress at becoming a carbon neutral state by 2050.

Jack Kerfoot

Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jackkerfoot.com

Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on numerous energy issues.