Gov. Cooper plan seeks to cut greenhouse gases

RALEIGH, N.C. — RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's administration is proposing a plan to reduce greenhouse gases.

[Gov. Cooper aims for cut in North Carolina greenhouse gases]

Local media outlets report that the plan calls for cutting greenhouse gases from electricity production by 60% to 70% of 2005 levels by 2030, with a goal of getting to zero emissions by 2050.

The state Department of Environmental Quality says North Carolina already has made progress toward cutting emissions, which are 34% lower than 2005 levels.

Some of the plan's suggestions include requiring the retirement of coal power plants and requiring utilities to increase use of renewable energy. It also suggests setting carbon dioxide budgets or carbon caps, or a combination of those approaches.

The proposal stems from an executive order Cooper signed last year.

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Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com

Associated Press