RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper declared this week, Sept. 25-29, Clean Energy Week in North Carolina “to recognize that clean energy drives North Carolina’s energy future and fosters economic growth,” the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality announced Thursday.
Because bolstering the state’s clean energy resources is a high priority for the Cooper administration, Gov. Cooper has called for the observance as part of National Clean Energy Week.
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“Our state leads the way in developing clean energy solutions that power our economy and preserve our environment,” said Michael Regan, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality in a statement. “This industry capitalizes on our state’s abundant resources and reduces our dependence on imported energy resources while boosting our national security.”
Clean energy is generated from many sources including wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal sources and energy saved because of energy efficiency policies and programs, according to the press release. The clean energy sector, which has grown by 31 percent since 2015, represents one of the fastest growing sectors in North Carolina’s economy. Today, more than 34,000 people in North Carolina are employed full-time in clean energy sector jobs.
In addition to signing the Competitive Energy Solutions for North Carolina bill into law, Gov. Cooper has issued an executive order promoting wind energy development and has pledged North Carolina’s participation in the U.S. Climate Alliance.
Cooper and Regan said North Carolina is aggressively recruiting clean energy jobs that grow local economies and improve economic development in rural and urban communities.
“We are collaborating with North Carolina entrepreneurs and businesses to foster continued U.S. leadership in the global clean energy marketplace, while assuring low-cost reliable energy here at home,” Regan said.
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Clean Energy Week leads into October’s National Energy Awareness Month.
