An omnibus energy bill that would lock North Carolina into continued reliance on burning fracked gas won approval from the N.C. House on second reading with a 57-50 vote today (July 14). The measure requires another vote by the House for third reading, then, if approved, it would go to the state Senate.
H 951 was drafted in closed meetings between lawmakers and a small group of stakeholders - most notably Duke Energy. It was revised in committee, but retains many problematic provisions.
In addition to lining up harmful fracked gas as a replacement for coal, the measure would be a significant step backwards in the way the N.C. Utilities Commission reviews energy plans by Duke Energy and other utilities. The bill hamstrings regulators and reduces oversight and transparency. Communities now experiencing pollution from coal plants would continue to be burdened by living next to fracked gas plants and would be allowed less opportunity for input. In addition, an amendment added to the bill today by Rep. Arp would attempt to prevent the state from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants; a move approved yesterday by the Environmental Management Commission.
The bill remains in stark contrast to Gov. Roy Cooper's goals to address the climate crisis and transition North Carolina to a clean energy economy by 2025.
"The House energy bill falls far short on addressing the urgent threat of climate change and supporting communities that continue to be harmed by dirty fossil fuel power plants," said Cynthia Satterfield, director of the N.C. Sierra Club. "We call on legislators to go back to the drawing board and negotiate with all stakeholders to create a bill that protects the environment and North Carolina’s ratepayers. We can't waste any more time with handouts to powerful utilities when our planet's future is at risk."