A major energy reform bill that would repeal North Carolina’s interim goal of cutting carbon emissions 70% by 2030 is now advancing in the state House after passing the Senate last month. Supporters say the move, part of a broader package, will help save electricity customers nearly $15 billion by reducing construction and compliance costs tied to future power generation.
The Power Bill Reduction Act (SB 266) was introduced in the House Regulatory Reform Committee on Wednesday. Rep. Dean Arp, R-Union, called it a collaborative effort between utilities, manufacturers, and consumer advocates to refine the legislative goals to save ratepayers money.
“Our state is growing fast, and American manufacturers are eager to open up plants in North Carolina instead of shipping those jobs overseas,” said Arp. “Simply meeting the current demand – and including residential, industrial, and the tens of thousands of new manufacturing jobs coming to North Carolina – requires new, reliable energy at lower costs.”
The bill’s centerpiece is the repeal of the 2030 interim carbon reduction target originally set in House Bill 951. It retains the long-term 2050 carbon neutrality goal but removes the earlier benchmark that state regulators now estimate would add $13 billion in costs for new power infrastructure.
The bill will reduce consumer electricity costs by a total of $15 billion through the policy changes, which also include a financing requirement that reduces the cost of constructing new natural gas and nuclear plants by about 5%. It also protects consumers from rate hikes and unnecessary and unexpected costs associated with fuel costs, legislators explained during the committee meeting.
Today the House Energy Committee will consider the Power Bill Reduction Act:
💰 Saves North Carolinians $13 BILLION on their power bills
⚡️ Removes Green Energy Mandates
🏭 Promotes reliable energy to power @realDonaldTrump’s manufacturing revival #ncpol #ncga— NC House Press (@nchousepress) June 4, 2025
The legislation, which now heads to the House Rules Committee, is being fast-tracked with no formal opposition from major stakeholders.
“It’s very rare that you get all the power companies and all the customers to agree on legislation, and yet, that’s what this bill does,” said Arp.
Several prominent organizations voiced support for the bill during the public comment period, including the North Carolina Chamber, North Carolina Electric Cooperatives, ElectriCities, and the American Petroleum Institute. They emphasized the bill’s role in ensuring reliable, affordable energy to meet the state’s growing economic and industrial demands.
Donald Bryson, CEO of the John Locke Foundation, expressed support for the bill and described it as “energy policy grounded in reality and responsible governance.”
“If North Carolinians and lawmakers want to continue to meet long-term emission goals by the 2050 target without driving up costs and undermining reliability, then we must give utilities and regulators flexibility to use the least-cost, technology-neutral strategy,” said Bryson. “It removes an arbitrary interim carbon deadline, strengthens cost recovery tools for baseload generation, and authorizes the prudent use of securitization…This bill enables a rational energy transition that balances environmental goals with economic growth and ratepayer protection.”
Ryan Minto, managing director of government affairs at Duke Energy, pointed to estimates that show an eightfold increase in the demand for energy in North Carolina.
“With this legislation, you will ensure that the energy component of our state’s competitive advantages continues well into the future with affordable, reliable power for businesses and residents,” Minto said.
Rep. Neal Jackson, R-Moore, commented on the recent news that Amazon is investing $10 billion in a new high-tech cloud computing and artificial intelligence Innovation Campus in Richmond County. With Amazon planning to employ 2,000 construction workers for eight to ten years, Jackson said the power grid’s reliability and affordability are crucial for the state’s business appeal.
“Here’s what I say for all of my colleagues, these companies would not be coming to North Carolina unless our energy is reliable,” Jackson said. “If there are blackouts like we have seen in other states, they’re not going to be coming to North Carolina. And if our energy is not affordable, they’re not going to be coming to North Carolina.’
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