Neighbors on Call’s NC Policy Update for 9/19/22

Environmental Policy

• On Tuesday the North Carolina Utilities Commission held a hearing on Duke Energy’s proposed carbon reduction plan, designed in response to a bill passed last year (HB 951) that required the company to reduce carbon emissions by 70% by 2030. Duke Energy has offered four different proposals, drawing criticism from environmental advocates over their plan to construct new natural gas plants in addition to adding renewable energy sources.

Health Care Policy

• On Friday the North Carolina Healthcare Association sent a letter to Governor Cooper and the Republican leaders at the NC General Assembly indicating that it would be willing to support changes to North Carolina’s “certificate of need” law in exchange for Medicaid expansion. The association, which represents hospitals in North Carolina, had previously opposed changes to the law, which regulates medical service providers in the state. The reversal means that Medicaid expansion could be closer to passing.