The North Carolina Justice Center applauds Governor Stein’s veto of a harmful utility bill, Senate Bill 266

RALEIGH (July 3, 2025) – The North Carolina Justice Center expresses gratitude to Governor Josh Stein for vetoing Senate Bill 266, a harmful piece of legislation that would raise residential utility bills, roll back clean energy progress, and shift costs from large corporations onto working families. 

The bill—misleadingly titled the “Power Bill Reduction Act”—sought to overhaul state energy policy in ways that primarily benefit Duke Energy and its largest industrial customers, while increasing costs for households across North Carolina.  

Among its most damaging provisions, SB 266 seeks to:

• Eliminate the state’s interim 2030 carbon reduction target, threatening long-term affordability and climate resilience;

• Allow utilities to charge customers up-front for new power plants, weakening consumer protections;

• Shift the cost burden from business customers to residential ratepayers—meaning North Carolina families would pay more so big businesses could pay less.

“Governor Stein’s veto protects families already struggling to keep up with rising energy costs, and we thank him for standing with the people—not just powerful utilities,” said Claire Williamson, Senior Energy Policy Advocate at the NC Justice Center. “This legislation would have a negative effect on North Carolinians with low incomes who struggle to afford the basic necessity of heating and cooling their homes.”

SB 266 was rushed through the legislative process with limited public input or analysis. Lawmakers voted on the bill before its full financial impacts were made available to the public or legislators.

We urge members of the General Assembly to stand with North Carolina’s working families and uphold the Governor’s veto.

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Media contact: Claire Williamson, Senior Energy Policy Advocate, claire@ncjustice.org, (919) 619-0315