Southeast

North Carolina

North Carolina is ranked 4th in the nation for solar energy generation, powering 9% of the state’s electricity supply in 2022. The transportation sector accounts for most of the state’s energy use due to the heavily trafficked highways and one of the nation’s busiest passenger airports. Overall, greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 26% from 2005-2021, with the biggest reductions from the state’s electricity sector.
GHG Reduction Targets
All targets relative to 2005 levels
2025 :

40%

2030 :

50%

2050 :

Net-zero

Governor
Roy Cooper (Democrat)
House Party
Republican Supermajority
Senate Party
Republican Supermajority
Legislative session
4/24/24 - 7/31/24
US Climate Alliance Status
Member

22

Policies Enacted or In Progress
across 6 policy areas

40

Policy Opportunities
across 6 policy areas

Southeast

14 states
This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Progress by Policy Area

  • Enacted
  • In-progress
  • Partially Enacted
  • Not Enacted
Glossary of Terms
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in North Carolina

Created in partnership with
Filters
Status Policy Policy Area Policy Category YR Enacted
Not Enacted
Empty column

Under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, California has the unique authority to establish vehicle emission standards more stringent than federal standards, and other states may adopt California’s standards. These Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards control tailpipe emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses from light-duty vehicles.

Transportation
Light-Duty Vehicles
Not Enacted
Empty column

Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandates, also known as "clean car standards," require automakers to produce and sell a certain percentage of zero-emission light-duty vehicles each model year based on total new vehicle sales. The most stringent ZEV mandates require 100% of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2035 and are known as "Advanced Clean Cars II".

Transportation
Light-Duty Vehicles
Not Enacted
Empty column

Electric vehicle rebates offer rebates to make light-duty electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state.

Transportation
Light-Duty Vehicles
Not Enacted
Empty column

Low NOx Omnibus Rules establish stringent tailpipe emission standards for heavy duty vehicles, updated testing procedures, and technology-neutral compliance mechanisms to reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) pollution. The regulation must be adopted first by California, and other states may adopt the regulation under the federal Clean Air Act.

Transportation
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Not Enacted
Empty column

In 2022, Governor Cooper signed EO 271 directing the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to propose that the Environmental Management Commission adopt an Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) program by May 15, 2023. However, the 2023 budget included language that prohibits ACT's regulatory process from proceeding further.

Transportation
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Not Enacted
Empty column

Medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicle rebates consist of programs and policies that offer rebates to make MHD electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state.

Transportation
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Enacted
Empty column

Agencies must prioritize ZEVs when purchasing new passenger vehicles

Agencies must prioritize medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs when purchasing new MHD vehicles

Transportation
Lead by Example 2018
Not Enacted
Empty column

Electric bus procurement targets require that a certain percentage or number of school buses and/or transit buses purchased or leased by the state, transit authorities, and/or school districts must be electric or zero-emissions.

Transportation
Lead by Example
Not Enacted
Empty column

Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements establish mandates for the installation of EV charging infrastructure in new construction or developments, such as residential or commercial buildings, and public parking lots.

Transportation
EV Charging Infrastructure
Not Enacted
Empty column

Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure rebates offer rebates to make the purchase and/or installation costs of EV charging infrastructure more affordable.

Transportation
EV Charging Infrastructure
Enacted
Empty column

N.C. Clean Transportation Plan

North Carolina Zero Emission Vehicle Plan 2022 Progress Update

Transportation
Transportation Plans and Targets 2023
Not Enacted
Empty column

Transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to limit emissions in the transportation sector. These targets aim to reduce emissions by specific amounts over time, often expressed as a percentage reduction from a baseline year.

Transportation
Transportation Plans and Targets
Not Enacted
Empty column

A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

Transportation
Transportation Plans and Targets
Partially Enacted
Empty column

North Carolina is ranked 18th out of 50 in the 2022 Bicycle Friendly State rankings by the League of American Bicyclists.

Policy Components
not-enacted
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4/5
Transportation
Public and Active Transportation

The State Climate Policy Dashboard tracks only passed policies and does not include bills currently proposed in legislative sessions. The website is intended to illustrate the current status of policies for each state, as well as key resources and model states for each policy.

Much of the information contained in this database is derived from the public domain, with links to resources provided. The information provided is made available solely for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Click here for full Terms of Use.

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