North Carolina

Purchase ‘Energy Star’ Items Tax-Free This Weekend

11/3/2011 -- North Carolina consumers will be able to find significant savings on the purchase of energy efficient appliances during the state’s annual tax-free ENERGY STAR weekend, which runs Friday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Nov. 6. The tax-free weekend gives consumers a break from state and local taxes on big-ticket items such as clothes washers, freezers, refrigerators and other appliances that carry the “Energy Star” label.

Meet Nearly One-Quarter of North Carolina's Energy Demand

Morrisville, North Carolina (March 18, 2010): Energy efficiency can create 38,000 new jobs for North Carolinians while saving consumers $3.6 billion in energy bills, according to a new report released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

The report, North Carolina’s Energy Future: Electricity, Water, and Transportation Efficiency, suggests a broad set of policies that can meet nearly a quarter of the state’s energy demand and enables North Carolina to become a national leader in clean energy development and deployment while boosting the state’s economic growth.

ACEEE’s suggested policy recommendations include:

North Carolina Recovery Dollars Have Provided Funding For More Than 19,000 Education Jobs

March 23, 2010 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that an additional $383,437,416 is now available for North Carolina under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. To date, North Carolina has received $2,277,411,205 through the Recovery Act.

The state recently reported that recovery dollars have been used to provide funding for more than 19,000 education jobs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2009, while also supporting programs that drive education reform.

March 11, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) today applauded Siemens Energy for creating a new hub in Charlotte to manufacture gas and steam turbines and generators. The plant is expected to bring an initial 450 jobs to the city and 825 jobs by 2014. The new plant is partly funded by federal tax-exempt bonds made available by a Recovery Act program that spurs economic development.

Progress Energy, FLS Energy, Evergreen Packaging partner on project at former landfill site

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (March 1, 2010) – Progress Energy Carolinas’ generation mix in Western N.C. is a little sunnier, as the region’s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) array is now online and generating electricity. The new 555-kilowatt (kW) Evergreen Solar Farm is owned and operated by FLS Energy and built on Evergreen Packaging’s now-closed landfill in Haywood County. Progress Energy Carolinas is purchasing the array’s entire output for distribution to the company’s customers.

“North Carolina will make incredible strides in education innovation”

March 4, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) today announced that North Carolina is a finalist for Phase I of the Race to the Top funding. Hagan, along with Reps. Butterfield, Etheridge, Jones, Price, McIntyre, Kissell, Shuler, Watt and Miller last week supported North Carolina's application in a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. The full letter can be read here.

1/28/2010 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue announced today that North Carolina is receiving $545 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for further development of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor, a nearly 500-mile route that will allow trains to travel between Charlotte and Washington, D.C. at top speeds of up to 90-110 miles per hour and an average speed of 86 mph.

“Building this high-speed rail corridor will put our people to work on critical infrastructure projects and boost local economies in North Carolina,” said Gov. Perdue. “This is a huge leap toward making high-speed rail in North Carolina a reality.”

January 28, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) is being joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today to announce $545 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to construct and improve high speed rail in North Carolina.

"I am thrilled North Carolina will receive a significant grant for high-speed rail between Charlotte and Raleigh," said Hagan. "North Carolina has an outstanding rail system, and this money will make it even more efficient and allow more riders to take advantage of it.

Hagan is focused on NC jobs for 2010

January 27, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) tonight commented on the President's State of the Union address. Sen. Hagan said:

"I am proud that President Obama honored a true North Carolina hero, Sgt. Kimberly Munley. She saved American lives at Fort Hood, and we, as a nation, are forever grateful for her service. Other special North Carolina guests of the President were Julia Frost, a Jacksonville college student, and Ping Fu, a North Carolina small business leader.

January 20, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) and U.S. Representative David Price (D-NC) today announced that the North Carolina non-profit MCNC will receive $28 million for broadband infrastructure in 37 counties in eastern and western regions of the state. The grant is part of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act effort to expand broadband access in rural areas.