Managing the Carbon Boom

Earlier this morning, several members of the state House of Representatives sponsoring the North Carolina Clean Energy Act, House Bill 77, held a press conference in conjunction with the folks at Environment North Carolina.  The bill proposes an unprecedented energy efficiency standard that would require 20% of the state’s electricity (about 1.2 billion electric kilowatt hours) to come from renewable sources like solar power, wind and ethanol by the year 2021.   

Fossil fuel burning power plants (particularly coal) emit much of the carbon-dioxide plaguing our atmosphere, and increasing energy efficiency and using renewable energy resources will help limit this phenomenon. In touting her organization’s new report, The Carbon Boom, Margaret Hartzell of Environment North Carolina reported that from 1990 to 2004, carbon-dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants have increased 50%, the 4^thincrease in the nation. This means that the state is now spewing 149.2 million metric tons of carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere per year (up from 110 metric tons in 1990). highest

“Global warming pollution is skyrocketing in North Carolina just as scientists are sounding alarms that we must rapidly reduce pollution to protect future generations, said Rep. Pricey Harrison.  “The Clean Energy Act would be the state’s first step towards significantly curbing global warming pollution.”

Advocates for the Clean Energy Act would like to see North Carolina become a leader in renewable energy.

“The good news is that we have the technology at our fingertips to cut global warming pollution in North Carolina and across the nation and forge a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Rep. Grier Martin.  “The Clean Energy Act is part of that new energy future.”

North Carolina should provide an example that other states can follow for cleaner air and more energy freedom.