US ELECTIONS: Democrat Stein to push for emissions cuts, grid buildout as next North Carolina governor

Democrat North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a clean energy advocate, will likely become the state’s next governor, according to preliminary election results.

Stein led Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson by about 10 percentage points as of 8:50 pm ET on Nov. 5 (0150 GMT on Nov. 6), according to the Associated Press, which called the race.

The race was set to determine the future of energy policy in the state, with critical regulatory appointments and a new focus on grid resiliency following a devastating hurricane hanging in the balance.

Stein’s victory means the Democrat will have the opportunity to replace or reappoint two commissioners appointed by outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper (D), one in 2025 and one in 2027.

But should Republicans maintain majority control of the North Carolina General Assembly, and the current veto-proof supermajority, Stein’s ambitions as governor could be effectively limited.

Stein said he plans to pursue policies to dramatically reduce emissions by 2030 and reach net zero in the next 30 years, as well as shore up the grid against climate disasters in a state recently devastated by Hurricane Helene.

Environmental and clean energy advocates said Stein has a track record of supporting clean energy in North Carolina, opposing efforts to weaken existing emissions standards, and urging state regulators to build an energy portfolio requiring quicker coal plant retirements.

Stein said he plans to push utilities to diversify energy portfolios, advocating an "alternative approach that creates more solar and wind energy."

The next governor is most likely to impact Duke Energy and other utilities through North Carolina Utilities Commission nominations and statewide economic development policies to balance the energy transition with reliability and cost.

While clean energy and environmental advocates hailed Stein as a “climate champion,” his opponent, Robinson, promoted fossil fuel use, increased domestic drilling, and referred to climate change as “junk science" and "pseudoscience."