An imperfect storm of politics and miscalculation has been pushing North Carolina energy policy toward an historic blunder in the General Assembly. What started as an outstanding opportunity for progress toward energy independence was hijacked instead as a vehicle to boost public subsidies for the construction of unnecessary, polluting, and overpriced power plants. Read More »

The N.C. Climate Action Plan Advisory Group (CAPAG), on which I serve as a local elected official, met July 16 in Raleigh to complete our final recommendations on how North Carolina can effectively reduce our contributions to the greenhouse gas emissions causing global warming. Among other decisions, we unanimously endorsed the adoption of a "renewable energy and energy efficiency portfolio standard". Under this plan, electric utilities in our state would be required to meet part of public electric demand through financing energy efficiency measures and clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar. The CAPAG was set up by the N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to collect expert guidance on practical measures for combating global climate change. DENR will take the CAPAG's report and recommendations to the N.C. Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change for its consideration this fall.

Since my last Campaign Journal report, I've been on the road from west to east. I spent most of the Fourth of July at the Eno River Festival in Durham, greeting the crowds along with Fourth District Congressman David Price, state representatives and senators, Durham County Commissioners, Durham City Council Members, and other area leaders. Read More »

I've been taking advantage of my "running habit" to see more of our state for years now. On July 12 this year, I climbed Grandfather Mountain as a participant in "The Bear" five-mile race from the town of Linville, up through the Highland Games, to the peak itself. There's nothing to let you appreciate the beauty of our mountains like looking out along the Blue Ridge at sunset from the peak of Grandfather, after a hard climb on your own feet to get there! Then on July 21, I enjoyed a running tour of the historic streets of the Town of Beaufort beside Core Sound. That race was a little longer—10 kilometers / 6.2 miles—but at least it was flat. My visit there also gave me a chance to speak with area runners and race volunteers like Beaufort Mayor Ann Carter, a member of my campaign Advisory Committee. Read More »

And it's a well-deserved and overdue snag! Please take a look at today's article on energy legislation in the Raleigh News & Observer: http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/640785.html Read More »

Power companies are pushing hard in Raleigh for a sweetheart deal in state law that would let them make enormously expensive mistakes—and leave the public paying the bill. Read More »

It's been another active week on the campaign trail since my last Campaign Journal report. Last Friday evening, I attended the NAACP dinner in Winston-Salem, then headed to Charlotte the next morning for a meeting of the National League of Cities' Central Cities Council Steering Committee, on which I serve. On Sunday, it was over to a campaign meet-and-greet in Chapel Hill (more on that in the next item). On Monday, city responsibilities kept me at home as the Winston-Salem City Council passed our annual budget. On Wednesday, I spoke to Boys State in Salisbury, then zipped to Raleigh for a Lillian's List fundraiser honoring Democratic women lawmakers. While in Raleigh, I stopped by the 51-hour Hog Vigil to express support for efforts to clean up hog waste lagoons permanently in our state. I also dropped in on my friends in the Wake County Progressive Democrats monthly meeting. Yesterday, it was back to Charlotte for the Uptown Democratic Forum discussion on dealing with gangs. From there, I made track ... Read More »

I had a great time in Chapel Hill last Sunday afternoon, talking with supporters and interested area residents at the home of Dave and Polly Moreau. Read More »

Most of you receiving this Campaign Journal will have received a separate note from me yesterday on this topic. But, just in case you hadn't noticed it yet, let me briefly mention it again. Read More »

On June 3, I headed east to Wayne County for the Third Congressional District Democratic Convention. Talking with the hard-working Democratic leaders of the Third District, I enjoyed speaking of my experiences during a decade living in Craven County, right in the heart of that district. For most of that time, I worked as a Legal Services attorney for poor families in ten coastal counties. Read More »