Renewable Energy

Why Legislators Are Changing State Environmental Policy

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:06:16 +0000

A variety of measures aimed at weakening environmental protections are making their way through the General Assembly. One would limit environmental regulations while another would repeal a six-year-old renewable energy policy. Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is changing its mission statement to reflect an emphasis on customer service, a move some call anti-science.

Bill To Repeal NC Renewables Program Makes A Slow Comeback

Nicole Campbell and Frank Stasio — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:57:42 +0000

The North Carolina Renewables Program, instated in 2007, requires utility companies to produce a percentage of sales from efficiency efforts or renewable sources. The program has since pushed North Carolina up in solar farm research and also created jobs during a recession. Efforts to repeal the program have recently been introduced to the House and Senate, claiming that the programs will have a negative impact on the economy.

Paddling For Renewable Energy On The OBX

Will Michaels — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:46:05 +0000

A renewable energy company says it's testing a prototype that could produce energy from ocean waves near the Outer Banks.

Boston-based Resolute Marine Energy says it tested the equipment for two months off the coast of Duck this winter. Engineer Cliff Goudey says the device has a large piece of fiberglass that waves back and forth like a barn door.

"It sits out on the bottom offshore just outside the breaking wave zone," Goudey says.

Two NC Solar Projects Go Online

Jeremy Loeb — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:09:00 +0000

Mt. Airy is now the site of a 1.2 megawatt solar farm capable of producing power to the equivalent of about 150 homes per year. John Morrison is Chief Operating Oficer for Chapel Hill-based Strata Solar.

Solar Conference Comes to Raleigh

Jeremy Loeb — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:15:00 +0000

Experts on solar energy are converging in Raleigh today for a conference designed to help expand the development of new technology. Siemens Industry is partnering with the North Carolina Solar Center for "Solar Exchange East" at North Carolina State University. Stephen Kalland is Executive Director for the North Carolina Solar Center. He says the conference will cover a number of issues.

Wind Farm Proposed for Beaufort County

Will Michaels — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:10:00 +0000

A utility based in Chicago is proposing an 80-megawatt wind farm in eastern North Carolina. The company Invenergy sent an application to state officials last week for a facility with 49 turbines at a site in Beaufort County. Jay Lucas is an engineer with the state Utilities Commission. He says an 80-megawatt farm could power 20,000 homes, depending on wind capacity.

NC Clean Energy Data Book Released

Jeremy Loeb — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 21:10:00 +0000

People interested in North Carolina's clean energy economy will now find much of what they're looking for in one source. The non-profit North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association has released a book that compiles various data, maps, and charts on North Carolina's green infrastructure.
Spokeswoman Julie Robinson says there isn't just one dominant source of clean energy.