North Carolina wants to become an AI leader. That’s raising a lot of questions about how it’ll power the data centers behind the AI boom, and whether residents will deal with higher utility bills and more gas plants as a result.

UPDATE: @ncgovernor.bsky.social has vetoed this bill, which is now reflected in the story. “My job is to do everything in my power to lower costs and grow the economy," the gov said, citing the study reported below. "This bill fails that test.”

The N.C. Senate just passed this measure easily, now it's on to the desk of @joshsteinnc.bsky.social, who's already getting calls to veto it.

In North Carolina, swift-moving legislation would unravel the state’s climate targets and give big energy users a break — at the expense of households. Duke Energy and industrial customers have voiced support. Reporting by @elizouzts.bsky.social:

The 2022 climate law didn't just extend clean energy tax credits, it made them accessible to nonprofits like food banks, and data in NC shows it's making a difference. That's among many reasons folks are now looking to the Senate to preserve the credit.

North Carolina will lose big if cuts to clean energy incentives become law. Will Senator Tillis, on record against ​“wholesale repeal” of the credits, go to bat for his state? Reporting by @elizouzts.bsky.social: ow.ly/fb6h50W2veB

Y'all, I drive an EV, and it's lovely. But it is just a lowly Bolt, capable of doing basic car things. I learned reporting this that we're now way past basic. Like, YOU CAN PLUG A TV INTO YOUR CAR

“You don’t buy a house until it’s built, and you don’t pay for a car before it’s available." Conservatives join clean energy advocates in questioning a North Carolina bill that would let Duke Energy collect money from customers for power plants before they are built. via @elizouzts.bsky.social

A bill that would unravel North Carolina’s 2021 landmark climate law has won praise from major industrial groups, some of which previously welcomed more clean energy. Reporting by @elizouzts.bsky.social

Learned so much reporting this story, not just about clean energy, but, after a few hours with Mondale Robinson, about history and sociology and psychology, too. Can't wait to see what happens next.

North Carolina recently unveiled a broad home energy efficiency and electrification program, but it’s unclear whether the Trump administration will block funding. Reporting by @elizouzts.bsky.social

One pellet mill neighbor offered this wisdom about the side effects of the industry: “We’re not proactive to make sure what we’re doing is right...That’s true with a lot of things we’ve done in this country. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you ought to.”

This is bonkers.

Some key Dems prevailed for statewide office -- Stein for Gov, Jackson for AG, and Hunt for Lt. Gov -- all of whom are expected to support clean energy. But the GOP is working now to undermine the power of each of these offices before its supermajority officially ends.

A new bill crafted by NC's GOP Senate leaders (SB382) seeks to sharply curtail authority of Governor & AG over utility regulation, overturning decades of precedent - a direct response to the election outcome. #EnergySky