By Cassie Gavin
Director of Government Relations
It was the Senate’s bill-filing deadline this week at the N.C. General Assembly, so many new environmental bills appeared - some harmful and some positive. And in the House, members nearly unanimously passed two good bills to address electric vehicle (EV) charging and improve energy efficiency in state buildings (H 329 and H 330). These bills will next go to the Senate for consideration.
Next week two harmful energy-related bills will be considered by Senate committees:
- S 377, Military Base Protection Act, would ban wind energy development in much of eastern N.C.
- S 446, Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Registration Fees, would increase electric and hybrid vehicle registration fees to the highest in the country according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This map shows differing fees across the country. Unlike gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicles provide considerable benefits: their lighter weight reduces road wear and their lack of tailpipe emissions improves air quality. Electric vehicles also reduce pollution—even factoring in emissions from electricity generation, electric vehicles produce lower emissions than conventional cars.
Opportunity for Action:
Please ask your senator to oppose S 377, Military Base Protection Act, and S 446, Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Registration Fees.
Many great environmental bills were also filed this week. Please thank the sponsors for their work! There are too many good bills to list all of them here today - but a couple of standouts include:
- H 560, Ban PFAS in Fire Retardant Foam, sponsored by Representatives Harrison, Faircloth, Hardister and McGrady, would help protect drinking water and firefighters from PFAS chemicals that are used in some firefighting foams. The Senate twin bill is S 655 and is sponsored by Senators Garrett, Robinson and deViere.
- S 517, Protect the Military/Fisheries/Tourism, sponsored by Senator Peterson, would prohibit exploration for oil or natural gas and construction of offshore fossil fuel facilities in state waters. The House twin bill is H 545 and is sponsored by Representatives Butler, Harrison, Martin and Russell.