Stein vetoes 3 bills, including money-saving energy bill

Gov. Josh Stein signed seven bills into law on Wednesday and vetoed three, including a bill that would eliminate the state’s statutory goal to cut carbon emissions by 70% by 2030.

According to its supporters, SB 266, The Power Reduction Act, would help save electricity customers nearly $15 billion by reducing construction and compliance costs tied to future power generation.

The bill’s centerpiece is the repeal of the 2030 interim carbon reduction target originally set in House Bill 951. It retains the long-term 2050 carbon neutrality goal but removes the earlier benchmark that state regulators now estimate would add $13 billion in costs for new power infrastructure.

“By repealing the interim 70% carbon reduction mandate by 2030, this legislation removes a key pressure point that would have shoehorned nondispatchable resources like wind and solar onto North Carolina’s grid—regardless of cost or reliability,” said Donald Bryson, CEO of the John Locke Foundation. “This is a smart, bipartisan step that gives the Utilities Commission more flexibility to pursue a balanced energy mix that keeps power affordable and dependable for ratepayers and businesses alike.”

The bill will reduce consumer electricity costs by a total of $15 billion through the policy changes, which also include a financing requirement that reduces the cost of constructing new natural gas and nuclear plants by about 5%. It also protects consumers from rate hikes and unnecessary and unexpected costs associated with fuel costs, legislators explained.

The passage of SB 266 was labeled a “key vote” by the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, saying an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy is needed for growing energy demands.

“As the North Carolina affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers, we recognize the importance of this critical policy, especially to a manufacturing community that requires certainty and predictability in its power 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” the Chamber wrote in a statement last month. “If we are to continue attracting economic investment, reliable, affordable energy must continue to be a priority.”

The governor disagreed, saying in a press release that recent independent analysis of Senate Bill 266 shows that the bill could cost North Carolina ratepayers up to $23 billion through 2050 due to higher fuel costs.

“This summer’s record heat and soaring utility bills has shown that we need to focus on lowering electricity costs for working families — not raising them,” Stein, a Democrat, said. “And as our state continues to grow, we need to diversify our energy portfolio so that we are not overly reliant on natural gas and its volatile fuel markets. This bill not only makes everyone’s utility bills more expensive, but it also shifts the cost of electricity from large industrial users onto the backs of regular people — families will pay more so that industry pays less.”

Additionally, he said the bill walks back the state’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions, sending the wrong signal to businesses that want to be a part of the state’s clean energy economy.

“My job is to do everything in my power to lower costs and grow the economy,” he said. “This bill fails that test.”   

Josh Stein is a Green New Deal Radical. His veto of a commonsense bill, which would save North Carolinians $15 billion dollars on their electric bills, proves it. I look forward to leading the Senate in overriding Gov. Stein’s veto. #ncpol https://t.co/o8eOqwxLbF

— Senator Phil Berger (@SenatorBerger) July 2, 2025

“I’m disappointed in the governor’s veto of the ‘Power Bill Reduction Act,’ which would have delivered cheap, reliable energy to North Carolina, cut the red tape that is choking innovation and long-term energy solutions, and saved consumers over $12 billion dollars,” said House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, in a press release. “Considering the strong bipartisan support in both chambers, we anticipate overriding this veto.”

https://x.com/SenatorBerger/status/1940500867557609981

Clarify powers of state auditor also vetoed

Stein also vetoed HB 548, Clarify Powers of State Auditor, which would give the auditor broader access to state agencies’ databases, digital records, facilities, and property. Access would also be extended to private entities handling public funds or involved in government programs.

That means any entity that receives state or federal funds would be subject to the review of the state auditor.  

“The Auditor and the Auditor’s authorized representatives may examine all books and accounts of any individual, firm, or corporation only insofar as they relate to transactions with any agency of the State,” the bill reads.

“House Bill 549 would grant the Auditor sweeping access to the data and records of any private corporation that accepts any amount of state funding,” Stein commented. “Giving the Auditor this intrusive power may undermine our state’s efforts to recruit businesses to North Carolina.

Additionally, the bill would remove the Office of State Auditor from the state’s cybersecurity efforts led by the Department of Information Technology, putting North Carolinians’ personal identifying information at heightened risk of a breach.”

State Auditor Dave Boliek commented on Stein’s veto of the bill, saying in a press release that it was written to protect the independence of the State Auditor’s Office, and throughout the process, they were transparent, incorporating feedback from legislators and the governor’s office.

“The autonomy and independence of watchdog agencies like the State Auditor’s Office, especially with regard to information technology and our ability to examine data when conducting audits, is critical to our mission,” he said. “Governor Stein’s veto undercuts the important principles of accountability and transparency that taxpayers expect from their government. Further, as the governor is aware, our office already has the authority to hold those who receive tax dollars accountable. I have confidence the legislature will stand up for these principles and override the governor’s veto.”

He also vetoed SB 254, Charter School Changes.

“Senate Bill 254 is an unconstitutional infringement on the authority of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction,” he said in the release. “Additionally, it weakens accountability of charter schools when every North Carolina student deserves excellent public schools, whether traditional or charter.”

Additionally, he signed the following bills into law:

• House Bill 620 – AOC Agency Requests,-AB.
• House Bill 928 – Allow PTs in School Concussion Protocol.
• House Bill 768 – Emerg. Comm. Code Exempts/Sanitary Board/401.
• Senate Bill 472 – Coastal Regulatory Reform.
• Senate Bill 710 – DPS Agency Changes-AB.
• Senate Bill 690 – Various Real Estate and Business Law Changes.
• Senate Bill 387 – Brownfields Property Reuse Act Revisions. 

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