In early 2008, the Institute for Emerging Issues held its annual forum, "North Carolina's Energy Futures: Realizing A State of Opportunity,"  which focused on our state's new energy economy. After the forum, IEI along with NCSEA, NC's regional economic development partnerships, the NC Cooperative Extension Services and others continued their work on these issues during a series of regional energy forums across the state to explore ideas for creating and expanding jobs and businesses locally.

Culminating a year of work, IEI's Business Committee on Energy released recommendations seeking to ensure an energy future that enhances North Carolina's short-term and long-term economic competitiveness and maximize the number of green jobs created and retained in our state. Click here to view the energy recommendations.

As a special feature for NCSEA's eNews and website, Chuck Swoboda, who served on IEI's Business Committee on Energy and is the CEO of Cree, an LED lighting company based in Durham, offered the following remarks regarding these energy policy recommendations:

North Carolina took a bold leadership step in 2007 when it passed Senate Bill 3, the "renewable energy and energy efficiency portfolio standard", the first of its kind in the southeastern United States. This new law created a significant market for renewable energy and energy efficiency companies, but as an increasing number of states seek to position themselves as leaders in the new energy economy, more work remains to be done to signal to these companies that North Carolina wants their business and will work with them to flourish here.
 
North Carolina has a visionary track record on energy, as investments made 30+ years ago continue to pay dividends today - well into the new millennium. However, North Carolina needs to lead not just the southeast, but the U.S. and the world, in creating a new energy future. North Carolina enjoys some of the lowest electricity rates in the world, which becomes a disincentive for new investments. It is critical that our state continue to be a leader on the energy front, or we risk losing ground to more innovative states. Our challenge is to invest in a more progressive energy approach, while we still enjoy the benefits of past investments.
 
Based on the work of IEI's Business Committee on Energy, the State of North Carolina must reconsider how it's organized to meet the energy challenges and opportunities ahead. Companies consistently cite the lack of clarity about the state's energy policy priorities as a barrier to doing business here. The state must offer a coherent voice and strategy for energy policy, including appointing an executive-level energy official in the Governor's office, reforming existing Energy Policy Council and redesigning and relocating the State Energy Office. Then, North Carolina could more effectively consider how economic development incentives, renewable energy tax credits, small business assistance, and workforce education can meet companies' needs. Click here to view the energy recommendations.
 
These policy recommendations are essential for North Carolina to emerge as a leader in energy efficiency, renewable energy and green technology. Our actions will set the stage for North Carolina's future growth and we must move with swiftness and clarity of purpose.