People’s Energy Plan listening session to be held in West Jefferson, N.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2022

CONTACT
Maddy Koch, North Carolina Field Coordinator, (828) 773-4781, maddy@appvoices.org

WEST JEFFERSON, N.C. — Appalachian Voices will host a listening session on North Carolina energy in West Jefferson on October 8 at 2 p.m. The listening session is part of our People’s Energy Plan, a statewide tour to hear the concerns, hopes and innovations residents want to see in an energy transition. Join us for food, community engagement and inspiring conversation.

Who: Appalachian Voices and Down Home NC
What: People’s Energy Plan Listening Session
Where: West Jefferson Municipal Park, 201 S Church Ave, West Jefferson, North Carolina
When: Saturday, October 8 from 2 – 4 p.m.

RSVP here

Background: We’re at a unique moment in North Carolina’s transition to clean energy. The state has strong climate goals to reduce carbon emission by 70% by 2030 and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Additionally, the federal Inflation Reduction Act will mean unprecedented investment in clean energy technologies and increased access to these technologies for everyday Americans.

A lot is going to change in our state’s energy future, and with these exciting opportunities, Appalachian Voices and local partners want to make sure our electricity generation prioritizes people over profit and adequately addresses the impacts of climate change.

North Carolina has a diverse energy system that includes large investor-owned utilities like Duke Energy and Dominion energy, 26 electric cooperatives and over 70 municipally owned energy systems serving millions of people. While some of these companies don’t generate their own power now, they may have the potential to do so in the future. They also make crucial decisions like where they buy that power and how they treat low-income ratepayers who can’t afford their electric bills. We want to learn what issues are most important to local communities and work towards changes that reflect these values.

This is why we’re building the NC People’s Energy Plan — a project to elevate the voices of North Carolinians to ensure they have a say in North Carolina’s energy policies for thriving, sustainable communities.

In order for the NC People’s Energy Plan to work, we’re hitting the road and traveling all over the Tar Heel State to hear residents’ concerns with our current electric system. We’re kicking off this tour by hosting a listening session at the West Jefferson Municipal Park on Oct. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m.

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Appalachian Voices is a leading nonprofit advocate for a healthy environment and just economy in the Appalachian region, and a driving force in America’s shift from fossil fuels to a clean energy future.