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Our advocacy in the Southeast 

After long lagging other regions, states in the Southeast have begun to realize the economic benefits of clean energy in recent years. But the region’s complicated political environment makes it crucial for Ceres to demonstrate corporate and investor support for additional policies that will accelerate the region’s transition to a clean and resilient economy. 

North Carolina

An early leader in solar energy, North Carolina in 2021 passed bipartisan legislation to achieve net zero electric-sector carbon emissions by 2050 and incentivize utilities to invest in clean energy. Now major companies and investors are pushing regulators to  implement the law to achieve a swift and affordable transition to clean electricity, encouraging lawmakers to embrace clean transportation policies, and pushing back against legislation that threatens to undo the state’s progress in becoming a clean energy leader. 

Virginia

Strong company and investor support helped spark a cascade of bold Virginia policies in recent years, including a commitment to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity and the adoption of clean car rules that will drive the state’s shift to electric-powered vehicles. Business leaders continue to push the state to effectively implement the landmark Virginia Clean Economy Act, and for equally ambitious policies to facilitate it. 

Corporate advocacy in action

Clean Power

After several major North Carolina employers called for ambitious climate legislation in the state, lawmakers approved bipartisan legislation that commits to a net zero electric sector by 2050, including a 70% emissions reduction from the sector by 2030.

Advanced Clean Trucks

North Carolina moved to adopt the Advanced Clean Trucks rule to accelerate production of zero-emission trucks and vans — a priority of major businesses seeking to electrify their fleets.

Advanced Clean Cars

Virginia joined more than a dozen other states in adopting strict fuel efficiency standards for passenger vehicles that will speed up the deployment of electric vehicles, thanks to support of major businesses in the commonwealth.

Virginia Clean Economy Act

Ceres helped build support for the passage of Virginia’s Clean Economy Act, which will build an electricity grid that runs on 100% carbon-free energy while eliminating carbon pollution from the state’s utilities by 2050.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

Following two years of corporate advocacy efforts organized by Ceres, Gov. Ralph Northam finalized carbon regulations for the electric power sector and issued an energy plan focused entirely on transitioning to a clean energy economy, including expanding corporate access to renewable energy.

Clean Energy Plan

In North Carolina, Ceres mobilized companies to push Gov. Roy Cooper to issue a Clean Energy Plan aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Green Tariff Program

In North Carolina, Ceres successfully organized companies to support the passage of bipartisan clean energy legislation to create a new utility green tariff program for corporate buyers, allow corporate leasing of renewables, and add new solar energy to the grid.

Latest updates on our work in the Southeast


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Advocate Health logo AO Smith logo B Lab logo Ben and Jerry's logo Bonterra Organic Estates logo common spirit logo Danone North America logo eastern bank logo eileen fisher logo Gap HP logo Holcim logo Indigo Ag logo kb home logo linkedin logo lucid logo McDonald's logo Nature's Path logo New Belgium Brewing logo Company Logo PayPal logo San Francisco Internal Airport logo Siemens logo Starbucks logo trane logo Vail Resorts logo Worthen Industries logo
Akamai logo Autodesk logo Ball Corp logo biogen logo Burton logo DSM logo Diageo logo Eaton logo Etsy logo Grove Collaborative logo hackensack meridian logo Honeywell logo JLL logo keurig dr. pepper logo logitech logo mars logo Microsoft logo Nestle logo Nike logo Palo Alto logo REI logo Sealed logo Sierra Nevada logo Stonyfield logo TRC logo VF corporation logo JLL logo
Adobe logo Alterra Mountain Company avocado green brands logo Bath & Body Works logo BCBS logo clif bar logo Daikin logo doordash logo ebay logo Franklin Energy logo HASI logo happy family organics logo IKEA logo kaiser permanente logo Levi Strauss & Co logo L'oreal USA logo mass general brigham logo NSAA logo Netflix logo The North Face logo Patagonia logo Salesforce logo Seventh Generation logo SIA logo Timberland logo Unilever logo workday logo

Become a leading advocate with the Ceres Policy Network

The Ceres Policy Network represents some of the most recognizable brands in the U.S., who have become leading advocates in the fight against the climate crisis in the Southeast and beyond.

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