NC greenhouse gas bill nears final approval with Senate vote

An energy bill negotiated by legislators and Gov. Roy Cooper that aims to meet his greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for North Carolina is now one vote away from reaching Cooper's desk. The Senate voted Wednesday for the measure, and it could be acted on Thursday by the House. The bills tells state regulators to develop a plan to reduce energy producers’ carbon dioxide output 70% by 2030, and achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The bill also gives Duke Energy the ability to seek multiyear rate increases. Several business groups back the measure, but many advocates for the environment and the poor say it falls short.