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After long lagging other regions, states in the Southeast are now seizing the clean energy economic opportunity. But the region’s complicated political environment makes it crucial for Ceres to demonstrate corporate and investor support for strong state policy to build upon this foundation.
The Southeast has emerged as one of the leading destinations for investment in clean energy manufacturing. But to fully harness this opportunity, states in the Southeast must advance smart policies that reduce pollution and support the clean energy economy. Ceres elevates corporate voices in the region to advocate for state climate and energy policies that grow the economy and reduce costs, meeting the needs of communities and businesses for many years to come.
An early leader in solar energy, North Carolina’s bipartisan commitment to achieve net zero electric-sector carbon emissions by 2050 was widely supported by businesses and investors who are now pushing for further policy to invest in reliable and affordable clean power.
Strong company and investor support helped spark a cascade of bold Virginia policies in recent years, including a commitment to 100% carbon-free electricity. Business leaders continue to push the state to effectively implement the landmark Virginia Clean Economy Act, and for new policies to modernize the power grid and keep costs down as electricity demand rises.
Leaders from 19 companies with significant operations and employees in North Carolina joined Gov. Josh Stein for a roundtable at Trane Technologies’ North American headquarters to discuss opportunities to deploy clean energy and lower costs.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger moved to bring the state back into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a priority for many businesses, to deploy clean energy and keep costs down after the previous administration controversially withdrew.
Virginia policymakers approved the SAVE Act, legislation to improve the state’s energy efficiency programs, with support from Ceres and major companies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ceres and major companies in North Carolina pushed Gov. Roy Cooper to issue a Clean Energy Plan aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
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.
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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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