Press Mention WSOCTV.com January 14, 2025
SACE Referenced
North Carolina reduces energy consumption, leads Southeast in energy efficiency programs
In this mention
A new report from the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy finds that North Carolina leads the Southeast in energy efficiency, primarily due to state law requiring Duke Energy to develop energy efficiency programs and reduce carbon emissions 70% below 2005 levels by 2030. North Carolina accounts for 49.2% of regional efficiency savings, with South Carolina at 19%, both benefiting from Duke Energy's efficiency requirements. The study examined seven southeastern states and found North Carolina is the only one with formal commitments to cutting carbon emissions from its electricity sector.
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North Carolina reduces energy consumption, leads Southeast in energy efficiency programs
ByWSOCTV.com News Staff
January 15, 2025 at 5:35 pm EST
CHARLOTTE — North Carolina leads the Southeast U.S. in energy efficiency, according to a new report from the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
The group found that's mostly because of North Carolina's requirement that Duke Energy develop energy efficiency programs.
North Carolina is the "only state in the Southeast to have formally committed to cutting carbon emissions from its electricity sector," according to the Energy Efficiency in the Southeast report.
Energy efficiency programs help customers save money by reducing energy consumption. These requirements are a result of "state law that requires the power sector to reduce carbon pollution at least 70% below 2005 levels by 2030," according to the study.
The United States' average percentage of annual electricity saved by residential programs is 0.5 percent. The Southeast averages 0.21 percent.
The report studied states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia. North Carolina is the only state involved in the study to require energy efficiency programs.
There are only two states that "deliver substantially more efficiency savings relative to their share of total retail electric sales," according to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
North Carolina is responsible for 49.2% of regional savings, and South Carolina is responsible for 19%. Both states use Duke Energy.
South Carolina received benefits from the North Carolina imposed requirements on Duke Energy, according to the study. North Carolina averaged 0.59 percent of annual electricity sales saved by residential programs and South Carolina averaged 0.37 percent.