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118 <br /> ADJUSTED BUSINESS-AS-USUAL FORECAST <br /> There are several federal, state, and local regulations, along with organizational <br /> commitments, that have been enacted that would reduce Orange County's GHG <br /> emissions. The influence of these regulations and commitments was quantified and <br /> included into the ABAU forecast to provide a more complete picture of emissions <br /> reductions to 2050. This forecast also shows the remainder of emissions the County will <br /> need to reduce if it wants to achieve carbon neutrality.As shown in the figure below,state <br /> regulations are expected to reduce Orange County's business-as-usual GHG emissions <br /> by approximately 319,855 MT CO2e by 2030 and 684,480 MT CO2e by 2050. <br /> North Carolina Executive Order NO. 80 aligns the State to the 2015 Paris Agreement <br /> and the United States Climate Agreement. North Carolina ratified targets for reducing <br /> carbon emissions 40%from 2005 levels."House Bil1951 18 provides for utility companies <br /> in North Carolina to take steps to reduce carbon emissions by 70% from 2005 levels <br /> by the year 2030, and further to become carbon neutral by 2050. Duke Energy has <br /> committed to a 50%reduction in emissions by 2030,and to net zero emissions by 2050.19 <br /> Piedmont Electric Cooperative has also committed to reducing energy by 50%by 2030, <br /> and to carbon neutrality by 2050.20 Emission reductions from these commitments <br /> move the County towards green energy, with average reductions of 13,742 MT CO2 per <br /> year to 2050. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards also impact <br /> Orange County emissions by reducing the amount of carbon emitted by transportation <br /> and vehicle miles traveled. According to ICLEI ClearPath, increasing CAFE standards <br /> will reduce emissions by 1.8% per year. Within the County, CAFE standards can reduce <br /> emissions by an average of 8,322.6 MT CO2e annually. <br /> 17 https://www.deq.nc.gov/energy-climate/climate-change/nc-climate-change-interagency-council/ <br /> climate-change-clean-energy-plans-progress <br /> 18 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021.Session Law 2021-165.House Bill 951 <br /> 19 https://www.duke-energy.com/business/products/renewables/sustainability/sustainability- <br /> goals#:-:text=We've%20aIready%20seen%20002,your%20higher%20carbon%20energy%20usage. <br /> 20 https://pemc.coop/smart_energy/energy-portfolio/#:-:text=Piedmont%20EIectric%2Opledges%20 <br /> to%20red uce,providers%20to%20meet%20these%20goa Is. <br /> 6 ORANGE COUNTY, NC • APPENDICES <br />