Renewable Energy

As local governments across the country puzzle over how to eliminate their use of electricity generated by fossil fuels, the North Carolina town of Boone has met that goal.

Two new North Carolina solar farms owned by a subsidiary of Duke Energy have begun generating electricity. And for the first time, they're selling it to the company's regulated consumer side.

Wood pellet maker Enviva says it has landed its first U.S. customer and is speeding up plans to double production capacity in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has signed into law a major energy reform bill designed to promote cleaner energy and change the way electric utilities are regulated. Cooper signed the bill even though business, environmental and consumer groups say it doesn't go far enough and could lead to big price increases.

A bipartisan bill to overhaul North Carolina's electric power system to deal with climate change passed both chambers of the state legislature this week, and now awaits the governor's signature. It took a lot of haggling between Republicans and Democrats to get it there. WFAE climate reporter David Boraks talked with WFAE Weekend Edition host Nick de la Canal about the final deal and what it means.

Energy reform legislation that offers a path to meeting the state's climate change goals is headed to Gov. Roy Cooper. The bill also will change how electric rates are set.

The North Carolina Senate on Wednesday approved a bipartisan energy reform bill that calls for reductions in greenhouse gases that lead to global warming. It also changes the way electric utilities are regulated. It still needs approval in the House.

An energy reform bill backed by Republican and Democratic North Carolina lawmakers and Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to come up for a vote in the full state Senate Wednesday. That's after it easily passed two key Senate committees Tuesday afternoon.

Mayors from 24 cities across the Southeast are calling on Congress to adopt national clean energy standards. In a letter to Congress and the White House this week, the mayors say their goal is to speed the transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles, and to create jobs.

A group of North Carolina businesses concerned about climate change says lawmakers should start over on an energy reform bill making its way through the General Assembly.