President’s Climate Action Plan Could Increase Air Quality and Business for NC

The President’s newly announced climate action plan calls for more funding for clean energy and limiting carbon emissions for new and existing power plants.

This is good news for us here in North Carolina. According to the Center for American Progress, 61% of NC residents breathe dangerous levels of smog.  And in 2012, North Carolina experienced many extremes, including 40 broken heat records and 13 broken precipitation records, as shown in the Extreme Weather Map 2012 published by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Changing to renewables can help. Stephanie Carroll Carson, Public News Service for NC, quotes Eric Henry, president of T-S Designs in her recent blog:  “When you look at the direct cost of coal, it is cheaper than renewable,” he said, “but when you measure all the costs, we’re really cheating not only the system but we’re cheating future generations.”  T-S Designs has been powered by solar for the past 10 years.

Stephanie goes on to point out that “North Carolina has been a national leader in clean-energy job creation, second only to California. The clean-energy business has created more than 21,000 jobs and contributed $1.7 billion to the state’s economy, according to RTI International.”  Renewable energy projects have contributed $113 million as tax revenue, helping to fund public services like education and safety, and energy efficiency programs incentivized by renewable energy standards have saved government an estimated $427 million.

President Obama’s Climate Action Plan can benefit North Carolina, hopefully for years to come.  It just makes sense, for ourselves and for future generations.

Nancy Hardy, NCIPL Summer Communications Coordinator

North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light (NCIPL) is a program of the North Carolina Council of Churches. NCIPL works with faith communities to address the causes and consequences of global climate change and promote practical, hope-filled responses through education, outreach, and public policy advocacy. Please visit our website for information on our current programs, campaigns, and events.