Senior policy advocate expresses support after Gov. Stein vetoes Senate Bill 266

(July 8, 2025) – Claire Williamson, Senior Policy Advocate for the Housing, Consumer & Energy project shared her support of Governor John Stein’s decision to veto Senate Bill 266, “The Power Bill Reduction Act” in an interview with Port City Daily.

Proponents of the bill, which included Duke Energy, claimed the bill would save ratepayers billions and ensure reliability. However, Stein and other opponents found that the bill would raise residential bills, increase reliance on natural gas, and hinder clean energy goals.

Williamson discussed the veto with Port City Daily. Williamson said the bill would benefit Duke, while affecting low-income households already struggling to afford the “basic necessity of heating and cooling their homes.”

“There is a misconception that renewables are what is driving rate increases, when in fact, the majority of the rate increases that have happened recently are because of natural gas spikes,” Williamson said.

Williamson explains how else customers would have been impacted if the bill passed in the article below.

Stein vetoes pro-nuclear and natural gas bill citing rising consumer costs