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Whereas, leading economists, policy experts, and business leaders conclude that
<br /> transitioning to a clean energy economy available for all would create millions of green jobs
<br /> nationally, improve health and living standards, and boost economic growth in coming years;
<br /> and
<br /> Whereas, low-income communities and communities of color in North Carolina and the
<br /> United States are inordinately exposed to pollution, that causes serious health problems such as
<br /> cancer and asthma, from fossil fuels, including the dirtiest coal-fired power plants which produce
<br /> coal ash, and need to be empowered and have access to educational tools and an awareness of
<br /> climate issues; and
<br /> Whereas, a Stanford University and University of California-Berkeley study concludes
<br /> the United States energy supply could be based entirely on renewable energy by the year 2050
<br /> using current technologies and 80% renewable energy by 2030 while creating numerous green
<br /> jobs; and
<br /> Whereas, municipalities, organizations, businesses, and academic institutions throughout
<br /> the world have set a goal to achieve carbon or climate neutrality by 2050 or earlier; and
<br /> Whereas, over 1,000 mayors have joined the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate
<br /> Protection Agreement since 2005 to commit to significantly reduce carbon emissions in their
<br /> cities to combat climate change; and
<br /> Whereas, over 600 American colleges and universities have made a commitment to
<br /> reduce greenhouse gases, including Appalachian State University, Blue Ridge Community
<br /> College, Carteret Community College, Catawba College, Central Carolina Community College,
<br /> Davidson College, Duke University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State
<br /> University, Guilford College,North Carolina Central University, Queens University of Charlotte,
<br /> Southeastern Community College, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of
<br /> North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North
<br /> Carolina at Pembroke, Wake Technical Community College, and Warren Wilson College; and
<br /> Whereas,North Carolina installed 1,140 MW of solar electric capacity in 2015, ranking it
<br /> second nationally; nearly $1.7 billion was invested on solar installations in North Carolina, a
<br /> 159% increase over the previous year; there are currently more than 200 solar companies at work
<br /> throughout the value chain in North Carolina, the state companies employing some 6,000 people;
<br /> North Carolina ranks third in the nation in installed solar capacity, enough to power 260,000
<br /> homes; and solar photovoltaic system prices in the U.S. have dropped by 66% since 2010;
<br /> Whereas, North Carolina has more offshore wind energy potential than any other Atlantic state;
<br /> and
<br /> Whereas, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report
<br /> recommended a global goal of achieving near zero greenhouse gas emissions or below, which is
<br /> necessary to stabilize the global average temperature to avoid climate catastrophe;
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