In North Carolina, Earth Day Is Jobs Day

This Earth Day, we’re celebrating the more than 9,800 jobs and $18 billion in funding that President Biden’s clean energy plan has brought to North Carolina in the past year and a half. Investing in clean energy is a win for North Carolina’s economy, environment, and residents. Clean energy like wind and solar is giving North Carolinians more good-paying jobs, more ways to save money on their utility bills, and more opportunities to protect the state that more than 10 million people call home.

Clean Energy Is Driving Job Creation and Boosting North Carolina’s Economy

Thanks to the federal clean energy plan, North Carolina is becoming a hub for EV and transmission manufacturing. New clean energy projects have already spurred $18.75 billion in investment and helped create or move forward over 9,886 good-paying clean energy jobs in the state. Highlights include:

• Toyota plans to invest $13.9 billion in its North Carolina EV battery manufacturing facility, more than 10 times the company’s initial investment, with over $10 billion in new funding announced since the clean energy plan’s passage.
• In May 2023, EV charger manufacturer Alpitronic announced plans for a $9.3 million tech and repair facility and headquarters in Charlotte, creating 300 new jobs with an average salary of over $90,000. 
• In November 2023, eight farms and businesses in North Carolina were awarded Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants to purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. 
• President Biden’s clean energy plan is projected to bring an additional $2.7 billion in investment in large-scale clean power generation and storage to North Carolina by 2030.

Biden’s Clean Energy Plan Is Protecting North Carolina’s Air and Water

President Biden has made protecting the environment a top priority since his first day in office, when he recommitted the U.S. to the Paris Agreement. He signed into law the single largest investment in clean energy and climate action ever made and closed tax loopholes to force Big Oil and corporate polluters to pay their fair share in taxes. Biden has done more to protect, restore, and secure the livability of our environment than any president in American history. Highlights include:

• As part of the Clean School Bus Rebate Program, five North Carolina school districts received over $12.2 million in federal funds to purchase low- and zero-emission school buses.
• In March 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a $3 million grant for North Carolina to develop innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and build clean energy economies.
• In September 2023, North Carolina received a total of $9.1 million from the Urban and Community Forestry Grants to support six projects to combat climate change, expand access to green spaces, and create healthier communities.
• As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, six superfund sites in North Carolina were awarded cleanup funding.

North Carolinians Are Saving Money Thanks to the Clean Energy Plan

By installing solar panels, purchasing electric vehicles, and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, North Carolina residents can save money while also taking steps to protect our planet for future generations. The clean energy plan makes it easier and cheaper than ever before to make these purchases and upgrades. Rather than benefiting Big Oil, investing in clean energy benefits us all. Highlights include:

• New rebates of 50 to 100% on new energy-efficient electric appliances will help North Carolina families save on their energy bills.
• New federal tax credits, which allow eligible consumers to recoup some of their expenses when upgrading the energy efficiency of their homes, took effect last year. North Carolinians can consult the Rewiring America savings calculator to find out what incentives they’re eligible for. 
• In November 2022, the Biden administration announced North Carolina would receive over $209 million to help low-income households in the state save an average of 52% on their home energy bills when they upgrade their appliances and improve energy efficiency.  
• New solar and wind energy investments will help reduce energy costs in North Carolina, as the costs of solar and wind power in the state are projected to drop by 24% and 34%, respectively, over the next 30 years.

For more than 50 years, Americans have recognized Earth Day, choosing to take time out of our busy lives to celebrate our planet and commit to protecting it for generations to come. This Earth Day, we’re recognizing the benefits that clean energy brings to our state by celebrating Earth Day as Jobs Day. 

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