Environment

North Carolina has attracted significant private investment in clean energy in recent years — from battery and solar manufacturing to energy‑efficiency contractor work and grid upgrades.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has released an updated inventory of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, detailing trends in the pollutants most responsible for climate change.

Silfab Solar leaked 300 gallons of potassium hydroxide solution earlier this week, with the spill reaching in and around the plant’s onsite retention pond. Early Thursday morning, the company reported a second incident — this time involving hydrofluoric acid.

A chemical spill Tuesday at a controversial solar panel manufacturing plant in Fort Mill has renewed concerns about the facility’s location next to an elementary school.

Many homeowners saw unusually high electric bills after back‑to‑back winter storms in January — largely because of increased energy consumption. A new program launched over the weekend aims to help Triad residents bring those costs down.

Duke Energy has requested permission from state regulators for steep rate hikes beginning in 2027. It’s also seeking one of the highest returns on its Carolina operations among regulated utilities.

Duke Energy is moving forward with plans to merge its two Carolina utilities, and a coalition of environmental, business and consumer advocates has reached a settlement intended to deliver immediate benefits to customers.

Last month’s winter storm pushed North Carolina’s energy grid to its limit. Now, the resulting power bills are turning heads.

The federal government plans to pay to keep coal plants open longer. It recently selected Duke Energy’s two-unit coal-burning plant to receive up to $34 million.

Last week, the EPA rolled back a key climate finding that gave the federal agency the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Wednesday morning, environmental groups took the EPA and its administrator, Lee Zeldin, to court.