The association claims that House Bill 298 threatens the stability of energy businesses. The solar advocacy group claims that the new bill will unravel the clean energy legislation passed in North Carolina in 2007. This legislation has enabled the clean energy industry in North Carolina to flourish and generates nearly $2 billion in revenue, thousands of jobs, and millions in savings for ratepayers.
The new legislation proposed by Mike Hager and a group of Republican Representatives, Jeff Collins, Marilyn Avila, George Cleveland, and Justin Burr, would allow more monopoly power to utilities in North Carolina while gutting legislation establishing renewable portfolio standards in North Carolina. The bill, entitled “The Affordable Reliable Energy Act,” stated that it was: “An Act to reduce the burden on citizens of North Carolina of high energy prices by eliminating renewable portfolio standards. And to provide cost recovery by a public utility for certain costs associated with compliance with renewable portfolio standards.”
NCSEA stated that it is vehemently opposed to the legislation as it will negatively impact electricity customers in the state. The state’s clean-energy legislation, Senate Bill 3, in 2007, is projected to save electric ratepayers $173 million by 2026. The advocacy group cited a study conducted by RTI and La Capra Associates that showed the positive effects of the previous legislation, which led to the creation of more solar and lower prices. It also created 21,000 jobs-years and $1.7 billion in economic benefits since 2007. This legislation included incentives that made it easier for people to go solar.
Betsy McCorkle, NCSEA Director of Government Relations, said the state has a tightly-controlled utility system where only utilities can sell electricity directly to consumers. She said that the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (the portion of Senate Bill 3 House Bill 298 tries to eliminate) was the first opportunity for clean energy firms to compete with utilities and give consumers a choice. All of this is happening while creating thousands and thousands of jobs. It’s also bringing billions into our economy. And it drives down the price of clean energy sources. This policy is highly successful, and legislators should vote against House Bill 298 to signal to the business and investment communities that North Carolina continues to be a leader in energy innovation and welcomes entrepreneurs and investors into the state.
McCorkle stated that North Carolina is already ahead of schedule in complying with the 2007 law. McCorkle said that eliminating the REPS, as proposed by this bill, would be needless destruction of a job-creating sector and result in government intervention into a market that continues to grow and attract investments.