Capital Connections - May 2025

Legislative Update

 

May is always a busy month at the North Carolina General Assembly, with crossover taking place and budget season heating up. Thursday, May 8, marked crossover, a deadline where bills must pass from one chamber to the other to be eligible for consideration for the remainder of the legislative biennium. This deadline excludes legislation that includes taxes or appropriations. Language from bills that do not meet the crossover deadline always has the potential to be added to bills that do.

 

Notable bills to make crossover include:

 

House Bill 258, the Utility Worker Protection Act

Senate Bill 261, the Energy Security & Affordability Act

Senate Bill 730, Expand CEPS/Nuclear and Hydro

 

Lawmakers in the House released their version of the state budget plan this week, which you can read more about below.

 

The ElectriCities Government Affairs team is continually monitoring legislation that may impact ElectriCities and our members. Throughout the legislative session, keep reading Capital Connections for updates on legislation and priorities. You can also reach out to Rhian Ray or Dalton Ashworth for more information.

Rhian Ray

Goverment Affairs Manager

 

Dalton Ashworth

Government Affairs Associate

 

Leah Kirby

Senior Copywriter

Support the Energy Security & Affordability Act

 

Senate Bill 261, the Energy Security & Affordability Act, is expected to be discussed in the House after Memorial Day. This bill is one of the most important pieces of energy legislation this session. It aims to save North Carolinians nearly $13 billion by amending HB 951 to remove the interim goal of a 70% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. This would provide the North Carolina Utilities Commission flexibility to adopt a more cost-effective and reliable path to decarbonization.

 

We are encouraging members to reach out to their legislative delegation in support of the bill. As members of your community and experts in public power, your voices are often the most impactful.

 

If you would like help contacting legislators on this issue, please contact Dalton Ashworth, Government Affairs Associate at ElectriCities. 

NC House Budget

 

House Republicans have released a budget plan that includes notable changes in teacher pay, state employee compensation, and tax policy. The proposal raises starting teacher salaries to $50,000 by 2026, with average raises of 8.7% over two years and restored master’s pay. State workers get a 2.5% raise in year one, and retirees would receive cost-of-living bonuses.

 

The plan increases the standard tax deduction, lowers the income tax rate to 3.99% by 2026, and reinstates a sales tax holiday. Spending cuts target vacant jobs and DEI programs and redirect $500 million from NC Innovation to disaster relief.

 

Votes on this budget are scheduled for today and Thursday. Following votes on the House version of the state budget plan, the two chambers will likely hammer out the final version behind closed doors in what is known as a conference committee.

NC General Assembly and Governor Celebrate Lineworkers

 

Marking North Carolina Lineworker Appreciation Day in April, Craig Batchelor, Manager of Safety and Training at ElectriCities, along with lineworkers Joe Shearin and Ethan Williams from Wake Forest Power, joined lineworkers from Duke Energy and Wake Electric Membership Corporation to meet with Gov. Josh Stein and other government officials to recognize and celebrate the critical work of North Carolina’s lineworkers.

 

Gov. Stein expressed his deep appreciation for North Carolina’s lineworkers. He praised their dedication and the vital role they play in keeping communities safe and connected, especially during emergencies and severe weather. “I’m incredibly proud of our state’s lineworkers,” the governor said, adding that he admires their commitment and courage—often working in hazardous conditions.

 

Thank you to the North Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Stein for honoring these everyday heroes.

Trump Releases 2026 Budget Proposal

 

President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal takes a sharp turn in energy policy, focusing heavily on boosting fossil fuel production while scaling back support for renewables. It reduces the Department of Energy’s budget by over $19 billion, cutting funds for clean energy programs and canceling investments in things like carbon capture and energy efficiency. The proposal also scraps the Energy Star program.

 

While Congress is likely to consider many of the items the administration proposed, they are under no obligation to implement the plan.  

Potential Elimination of LIHEAP Funding

 

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that offers financial assistance to reduce energy costs and improve home efficiency. President Trump’s recently released budget proposal includes eliminating the program. Doing that could leave nearly 6 million households struggling to afford heating and cooling for their homes. ElectriCities and the American Public Power Association (APPA) continue to strongly advocate for LIHEAP. 

FEMA Reform

 

Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure released a discussion draft of the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation aims to restore the agency’s independence, allowing it to report directly to the president and focus entirely on disaster response. This change ensures resources are used efficiently and that states have greater control over recovery efforts. Faster, project-based grants replace outdated processes, cutting red tape and helping communities rebuild more quickly. APPA has been invited to work with the committee as this bill moves forward.

 

We have reported in an earlier Capital Connections that ElectriCities is facilitating input from our members to APPA on FEMA reform. If you have concerns with FEMA or recommendations for improvements, please reach out to Craig Batchelor, Manager of Safety & Training at ElectriCities, or Nick Whitley, Mutual Aid Coordinator and Supervisor of Safety & Training at ElectriCities.

Dates We’re Watching

 

Aug. 11-13, 2025: ElectriCities 2025 Annual Conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

ElectriCities of NC

1427 Meadow Wood Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604