RALEIGH – In 2018, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 80 that reaffirmed and outlined the state’s commitment to reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously supporting the expansion of clean energy businesses.
An E2 report released this week found that North Carolina ranks first in the nation for clean energy jobs in rural counties, finding more than 25,500 clean energy jobs–25.6 percent of all cleantech jobs in North Carolina. The state ranked ninth out of all 50 states in total employment in the industry.
But North Carolina’s clean energy future isn’t just tied to employment in the sector or governmental targets. Privately-held and publicly-traded companies will play a critical role in reducing carbon emissions and advancing new and emerging technologies that combat climate change.