North Carolina could get most of the energy it needs as a state from renewable sources including solar and wind. That's according to a report published earlier this year by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research. But when it comes to producing wind energy that goes back into the grid, North Carolina is behind other states. In fact, there is only one utility-grade wind turbine in all of North Carolina. Jessica Jones reports for our series, North Carolina Voices: Tomorrow's Energy.
00000177-6edd-df44-a377-6fff43430000Energy – and how we get it – affects everyone. Someone loads coal in a chute in a western North Carolina power plant, and someone else turns on a light in the Triangle.But how will we get that energy in 10 or 20 years? Coal is a leading cause of global warming… and we can't yet rely on renewable energy like solar and wind.Are utility companies making the right decisions? And are environmentalists realistic about our everyday needs? At stake is not just the state's economic growth, but our quality of life.North Carolina Voices: Tomorrow's Energy is a two-week long series that will look at the people making the decisions and driving the debate over energy. It airs on Morning Edition and energy-related topics will be discussed on The State of Things.The stories aired over the course of April 12-23 are presented in an hour-long special hosted by Eric Hodge.
NC Voices: Tomorrow's Energy -- Wind Power
Dennis Scanlin
