Environment

Senate Bill 730 proposes to expand North Carolina's Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (CEPS). The bill aims to include existing nuclear and large hydroelectric power facilities within the definition of what counts as clean energy. Specifically, it amends the definition of "New clean energy facility" to include nuclear energy facilities (including uprates) and fusion energy facilities placed into service on or after January 1, 2007. This change would allow electric power suppliers to use these sources to meet their state-mandated clean energy targets.

HB 850 imposes a moratorium on approving new or expanded surface water transfers exceeding 15 million gallons per day between river basins until March 1, 2027. This directly affects water utilities, developers, or entities seeking large-scale water transfers that would move significant volumes between river systems. The bill requires the UNC Collaboratory to study and recommend updates to the current approval process, focusing on environmental equity, climate impacts on water flows, economic fairness for affected communities, and incentives for drought-resilient infrastructure. The study must address how transfers impact downstream users, river ecosystems, and potential financial burdens on lower-income areas or alternative infrastructure costs.