NC Clean Power Plan fails to meet needs of low income communities

Advocates to testify for improvements at state hearings in Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington

WHAT: Hearings on the Clean Power Plan proposed by the Department of Environmental Quality
WHERE: Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington
WHEN: Wednesday, December 16 (Charlotte); Thursday, December 17 (Raleigh); and Tuesday, January 5, 2016 (Wilmington)

RALEIGH – December 17, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — In upcoming hearings across North Carolina, advocates for low income communities will share their concerns that the NC Clean Power Plan (CPP) fails to adequately meet the requirements of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan and will leave North Carolina without valuable opportunities for improving energy efficiency, lowering electricity costs, protecting the environment, developing solar and wind renewable energy, and creating new jobs.

On August 3, 2015, the EPA announced the CPP, a historic step in reducing carbon pollution from power plants, combating climate change, and giving North Carolina an opportunity to implement policies that can significantly help low income utility users. Each state can develop a plan that incorporates a range of steps to reduce carbon emissions including energy efficiency measures and renewable energy. Of particular interest is the CPP’s Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP), which incentivizes investments in low income energy efficiency measures. However, North Carolina’s CPP makes no provision for inclusion in the CEIP, leaving the state without the tremendous benefit of participating in the program.

“Unfortunately the current state plan not only fails to meet the EPA’s requirements for carbon reduction but also fails to take advantage of a tremendous opportunity for our state,” said Rick Glazier, Executive Director of the North Carolina Justice Center. “We should be promoting energy efficiency, solar and wind generation, participation in the CEIP, and new jobs that will come with a robust plan, instead the current plan fails to include all of these options.”

“Time and time again we meet low income homeowners that cannot afford energy efficiency improvements to their properties because existing programs don’t do enough to make programs affordable,” said Louise Mack, CEO and President of Prosperity Unlimited in Kannapolis, a nonprofit that helps low income individuals address financial hardship and achieve homeownership.” We also have too many people that cannot afford the high cost of the electric bill. We need a strong NC Clean Power Plan to help keep utility costs down through the adoption of more energy efficiency and renewable energy.”

Hearings on the Clean Power Plan proposed by the Department of Environmental Quality will take place throughout the state during the upcoming weeks:

CHARLOTTE: 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16 at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center Chamber, 600 East Fourth St.
RALEIGH: 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17 at the Archdale Building, Ground Floor Hearing Room, 512 North Salisbury St.
WILMINGTON: 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the Roland Grise Middle School Auditorium, 4412 Lake Avenue, Wilmington.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Al Ripley, 919.274.8245,