4 Ways North Carolina Can Reduce its Power Sector Emissions

North Carolina can reduce its power sector CO2 emissions by 29 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 using existing policies and infrastructure. Key strategies include meeting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) targets with in-state generation, increasing the utilization of combined cycle natural gas units, improving coal plant efficiency, and expanding combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Long-term reductions of 69 percent below 2011 levels by 2030 are possible through expanded legislation, including annual energy efficiency savings of 2 percent from 2015 to 2030.

• North Carolina is positioned to reduce power sector CO2 emissions by 29 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 using current policies and infrastructure.
• Four specific tools can be used to lower emissions by 2020: meeting REPS targets with in-state renewables (6% reduction), increasing combined cycle natural gas unit utilization from 38% to 75% (17% reduction), improving coal plant efficiency (1% reduction), and utilizing combined heat and power (CHP) systems, of which only 24% of the 6.5 gigawatt potential is currently used.
• The state could achieve a 69 percent reduction in emissions below 2011 levels by 2030 by expanding existing programs. This includes continuing renewable sales beyond the 2021 REPS target (additional 7% reduction by 2030) and legislating annual electricity savings of 2 percent from 2015 through 2030 (approximately 40% reduction by 2030).
• Between 2005 and 2011, coal-fired generation in North Carolina fell by 24 percent and power sector CO2 emissions decreased by 17 percent, though emissions are projected to return to 2011 levels by the late 2020s.

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} }