4 Ways North Carolina Can Reduce its Power Sector Emissions

This fact sheet by the World Resources Institute (WRI) outlines strategies for North Carolina to reduce power sector carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to comply with expected U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. WRI analysis suggests the state can reduce emissions 29 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 using existing policies and infrastructure, with the potential for a 69 percent reduction by 2030 through expanded programs.

• North Carolina's power sector CO2 emissions decreased by 17 percent between 2005 and 2011, driven by a 24 percent decrease in coal-fired generation. However, emissions are projected to rise back to 2011 levels by the late 2020s. As of the analysis, coal provides approximately 50 percent of total generation, while nuclear and natural gas provide 34 percent and 9 percent, respectively.
• WRI identifies four specific tools North Carolina can use to reduce power sector CO2 emissions by 2020 relative to 2011 levels: meeting renewable energy and energy efficiency targets using in-state generation (6 percent reduction), increasing the utilization of existing combined cycle natural gas (NGCC) units from 38 percent to 75 percent (17 percent reduction), improving the efficiency of existing coal plants (1 percent reduction), and increasing the use of combined heat and power (CHP) systems in industrial and commercial sectors.
• The state could achieve a 69 percent reduction in emissions below 2011 levels by 2030 by expanding existing policies. This includes continuing renewable sales beyond the 2021 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) target to reduce emissions by an additional 7 percent by 2030, and enacting legislation for annual electricity savings of 2 percent from 2015 through 2030, which could reduce emissions by about 40 percent by 2030.
• Expanding energy efficiency and renewable programs offers significant economic benefits. A study indicated that clean energy use could lead to $173 million in cost savings after 2026, and ACEEE analysis suggests energy efficiency programs could save customers nearly $16 billion between 2010 and 2025.

APA

World Resources Institute (2013). 4 Ways North Carolina Can Reduce its Power Sector Emissions. https://www.wri.org/insights/4-ways-north-carolina-can-reduce-its-power-sector-emissions

Chicago

World Resources Institute. 4 Ways North Carolina Can Reduce its Power Sector Emissions. 2013. https://www.wri.org/insights/4-ways-north-carolina-can-reduce-its-power-sector-emissions.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=4 Ways North Carolina Can Reduce its Power Sector Emissions |date=11 September 2013 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/4-ways-north-carolina-can-reduce-its-power-sector-emissions |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2013ways, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{4 Ways North Carolina Can Reduce its Power Sector Emissions}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2013}, month = sep, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/4-ways-north-carolina-can-reduce-its-power-sector-emissions}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }