FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Michael Shore, Senior Air Policy Analyst, Environmental Defense, 828-582-3141

(Raleigh, NC - February 6, 2007) - A bill was introduced in the NC House of Representatives today that will require North Carolina utilities to meet 20% of the state’s energy demand with renewable energy and efficiency measures by 2021. An energy bill also was introduced in the NC Senate last week. The bills would establish what is known as a renewable energy and efficiency standard. The following statement may be attributed to Michael Shore, senior air policy analyst with the North Carolina office of Environmental Defense:

“Here comes the sun. These bills will officially make solar and other clean energy resources part of our future. The fact that energy bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate indicates strong legislative support for renewables and efficiency. This is the year for North Carolina to finally adopt forward-thinking energy policies that offset the need for expensive coal and nuclear plants.”

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