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Tag Archives: Politics

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators finalized a bill Thursday that would eliminate an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set in a landmark 2021 law, while still directing regulators to aim to cancel out power plant carbon emissions in the state within the next 25 years.

With some bipartisan support, the state Senate voted to accept the House version that would repeal the 2021 law’s requirement that electric regulators take “all reasonable steps to achieve” reducing carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. The law’s directive to take similar steps to meet a carbon neutrality standard by 2050 would remain in place.

The bill’s Republican supporters pushing the new measure say getting rid of the interim goal benefits ratepayers asked to pay for future electric-production construction and is more efficient for Duke Energy, the state’s dominant electric utility.

The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who can veto the measure, sign it or let it become law without his signature. Stein previously expressed concerns about the Senate version of the measure, worried that it could hurt electricity users and threaten the state’s clean-energy economy. His office didn’t immediately provide comment after Thursday’s vote.

With over a dozen House and Senate Democrats voting for the final version, the chances that any Stein veto could be overridden are higher. Republicans in charge of the General Assembly are only one House seat shy of a veto-proof majority.

The bill also contains language that would help Duke Energy seek higher electric rates to cover financing costs to build nuclear or gas-powered plants incrementally, rather than wait until the project’s end.

The 2021 greenhouse gas law marked a rare agreement on environmental issues by then-Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican lawmakers.

At least 17 other states — most controlled by Democrats — have laws setting similar net-zero power plant emissions or 100% renewable energy targets, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. North Carolina and Virginia are the only ones from the Southeast.

The legislation came about as President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed rolling back federal environmental and climate change policies, which critics say could boost pollution and threaten human health. Republicans are promoting them as ways to reduce the cost of living and boost the economy.

The state Utilities Commission, which regulates rates and services for public utilities, already has pushed back the 2030 deadline — as the 2021 law allows — by at least four years. The panel acknowledged last year it was “no longer reasonable or executable” for Duke Energy to meet the reduction standard by 2030.

Bill supporters say to meet the goal would require expensive types of alternate energy immediately. If the interim standard can be bypassed, GOP bill authors say, Duke Energy can assemble less expensive power sources now and moderate electricity rate increases necessary to reach the 2050 standard.

“Our residents shouldn’t be saddled with higher power bills to satisfy arbitrary targets,” Republican Senate leader Phil Berger said in a news release after the vote.

Citing an analysis performed by a state agency that represents consumers before the commission, GOP lawmakers say removing the interim goal would reduce by at least $13 billion what Duke Energy would have to spend — and pass on to customers — in the next 25 years.

Bill opponents question the savings figure given uncertainty in plant fuel prices, energy demand and construction costs. They say the interim goal still holds an aspirational purpose and was something that Duke Energy had agreed in 2021 to meet.

Provisions in the measure related to recouping plant construction expenses over time would reduce accumulated borrowing interest.

Environmental groups argue the financing option would benefit Duke Energy’s bottom line on expensive projects even if they’re never completed, and the bill broadly would prevent cleaner energy sources from coming online sooner. They also contend another bill section would shift costs to residential customers.

“This bill is bad for all North Carolinians, whether they’re Duke Energy customers or simply people who want to breathe clean air,” North Carolina Sierra Club director Chris Herndon said after the vote while urging Stein to veto the measure.

Bill support came from the North Carolina Chamber and a manufacturers’ group, in addition to Duke Energy.

“We appreciate bipartisan efforts by policymakers to keep costs as low as possible for customers and enable the always-on energy resources our communities need,” the company said this week.

Trump will sign an order extending deadline for TikTok’s Chinese owner to sell app

Trump will sign an order extending deadline for TikTok’s Chinese owner to sell app

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will sign an executive order this week to extend a deadline for TikTok’s Chinese owner to divest the popular video sharing app. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Trump’s intention after Trump indicated earlier Tuesday he would “probably” make the move. Leavitt said in a statement Tuesday evening that “Trump does not want TikTok to go dark.” The extension will last for 90 days. Trump had signed an order in early April to keep TikTok running for an additional 75 days after a potential deal to sell the app to American owners was put on ice.… Continue Reading

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A panel of North Carolina trial judges dismissed Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s case against GOP legislative leaders over the issue of who gets to appoint and remove the State Highway Patrol commander. The Superior Court panel’s Monday decision means the case doesn’t go to trial but it can be appealed. The lawsuit focuses on part of a power-shifting law passed by the Republican-dominated legislature last year. The provision outlines that Col. Freddy Johnson would remain in his role as the State Highway Patrol commander until 2030. Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper originally appointed Johnson in 2021.… Continue Reading

North Carolina redistricting trial begins, with racial gerrymandering allegations the focus

North Carolina redistricting trial begins, with racial gerrymandering allegations the focus

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina congressional and legislative districts drawn by Republicans in 2023 that helped them retain majorities in Raleigh and Washington are in court. A trial began Monday in two federal lawsuits filed by voters and advocacy groups that accuse mapmakers of illegally eroding Black voting power while enacting lines that aided GOP electoral prospects. The lawsuits claim that lines are so skewed that many Black voters lack the ability to elect their preferred candidates. Republicans counter that they used no race-based data in developing the plans. The trial won’t end until next month. North Carolina has a long history of redistricting litigation and related landmark decisions.… Continue Reading

Justice Department’s early moves on voting and elections signal a shift from its traditional role

Justice Department’s early moves on voting and elections signal a shift from its traditional role

ATLANTA (AP) — The Trump administration’s Justice Department has begun targeting Democratic and presidential swing states with demands for election data or changes to voter registration procedures. While the requests may seem technical and mundane, collectively they suggest the department is moving away from its traditional stance of protecting access to the ballot box. Instead, the actions address concerns that have been raised by a host of conservative activists following years of false claims surrounding elections in the U.S. By targeting certain states — presidential battlegrounds or those controlled by Democrats — they also could be foreshadowing an expanded role for the department in future elections.… Continue Reading

Military parade rolls through DC as ‘No Kings’ protesters across US decry Trump

Military parade rolls through DC as ‘No Kings’ protesters across US decry Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The grand military parade that President Donald Trump wanted for eight years has barreled down Constitution Avenue in Washington with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute. The celebration played out against the counterpoint of protesters around the country who decried the U.S. leader as a dictator and would-be king. The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat under a special viewing stand constructed south of the White House to watch the display of American military might. It was a procession he tried to put in his first term after wanting to top one he saw in France in 2017, but the plans never came together until it was added to an event recognizing the Army’s 250th anniversary.… Continue Reading

House approves Trump’s request to cut funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aid

House approves Trump’s request to cut funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has voted to cut about $9.4 billion in spending as President Donald Trump’s administration looks to follow through on work done by the Department of Government Efficiency when it was overseen by Elon Musk. The package narrowly passed Thursday targets foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides money for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service as well as thousands of public radio and television stations around the country. The vote was 214-212. Republicans are characterizing the spending as wasteful and unnecessary, but Democrats say the rescissions are hurting the United States’ standing around the world.… Continue Reading

Trump says he will ‘liberate’ Los Angeles in speech to mark the 250th anniversary of the Army

Trump says he will ‘liberate’ Los Angeles in speech to mark the 250th anniversary of the Army

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump called protesters in Los Angeles “animals” and “a foreign enemy” in a speech at Fort Bragg as he defended deploying the military on those protesting his immigration enforcement. Trump on Tuesday used a speech ostensibly supposed to be used to recognize the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army to denounce the protesters in Los Angeles while repeating his false statements about the 2020 election being rigged and attacking the previous commander-in-chief, former President Joe Biden. Trump has used the recent protests in Los Angeles as an opportunity to deploy the National Guard and U.S. Marines over the objections of California’s governor.… Continue Reading

Trump deploys California National Guard to LA to quell protests despite the governor’s objections

Trump deploys California National Guard to LA to quell protests despite the governor’s objections

PARAMOUNT, Calif. (AP) — President Donald Trump is deploying 2,000 California National Guard troops despite the governor’s objections to Los Angeles over where protests Saturday led to clashes between immigration authorities and demonstrators. The White House said in a statement Saturday that he was deploying the Guardsmen to “address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester” in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, objected to the move and said in a post on X that the move from the Republican president was “purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.”… Continue Reading

North Carolina governor forms council to recommend cannabis regulations

North Carolina governor forms council to recommend cannabis regulations

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein says he wants a council he’s created to recommend cannabis sales regulations to protect young people and provide a structure for an industry where products from otherwise lawful hemp are unregulated. The Democratic governor signed an executive order this week creating the panel. North Carolina is among a small number of states whose laws prohibit marijuana for both medicinal use or adult recreational use. The General Assembly would have to enact any law legalizing marijuana. Preliminary recommendations are due next March. Stein says there’s currently a “Wild West” market in which products being sold contain intoxicating levels of what’s known as THC.… Continue Reading

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