(The Center Square) – With diversity in mix, North Carolina is ninth in energy affordability in the Energy Affordability 2025 report from the American Legislative Exchange Council.
Still, ALEC says, “North Carolina’s energy policies, including a renewable portfolio standard and net metering, have introduced higher costs to consumers. The RPS has driven investments in solar energy, but these policies have also added financial burdens to the energy sector that are ultimately passed on to consumers.”
The report says the average retail price in cents per kilowatt-hour is 9.6. Total retail sales in megawatt-hours are 139.2 million.
Natural gas (44%), nuclear (32%), coal (11%), solar (9%) and hydroelectric (4%) represent the top generation sources.
The state does not have a cap-and-trade. This means permits are not issued for trade to incentives for emission reductions.
“North Carolina,” ALEC says in its summary, “also faces significant challenges in energy reliability, with 14 incidents reported. The state’s geographic location makes it particularly vulnerable to hurricanes, which can wreak havoc on the energy grid. These incidents highlight the vulnerabilities in North Carolina’s energy infrastructure, underscoring the need for enhanced resilience.”
