Commerce's Energy and Infrastructure Office (EIO) offers expert guidance to communities, businesses, and policymakers on the complex issues they face in today's dynamic energy economy.

The office collaborates with local governments, utilities, industry leaders, and workforce experts to promote job creation in the evolving energy economy and position North Carolina’s industries for long-term competitive advantage.  We help the state capture future economic opportunities as policymakers work to ensure access to affordable, reliable, and diverse energy sources.

Information to navigate today's energy marketplace

North Carolina is at the intersection of three major economic trends impacting the electric power sector:

  • Booming demand for computing power from data centers,
  • The reshoring of manufacturing, and
  • Population growth, with North Carolina growing third-fastest of any state since 2020.

Access to affordable, reliable, and diverse energy sources will determine whether and how North Carolina captures future economic opportunities as the U.S. races to build more resilient domestic supply chains and maintain its competitive edge in artificial intelligence (AI).

In our new white paper series, we explore energy’s foundational role in North Carolina’s economy and how a more diverse, local, and resilient energy system supports the state’s continued competitive advantage in manufacturing and workforce while maintaining energy affordability and protecting our economy against unexpected shocks.

White Papers

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How an “All-of-the-Above” Energy Strategy is Essential to the State’s Continued Economic Growth

Because of electric power’s critical role in economic growth, the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Energy & Infrastructure Office (EIO) is releasing a series of white papers examining North Carolina’s energy sector and its relationship to the security and future prosperity of the state’s economy.

Read the first white paper.

An overview of North Carolina’s current energy resource mix

Building on the State’s economic and natural competitiveness for an “All-of-the-Above” Energy Strategy, this second paper in our series provides an overview of North Carolina’s current energy resource mix and highlights the state’s natural and economic assets that position it to further diversify its energy resources.

Read the second white paper.

How an “All-of-the-Above” Energy Strategy is Rebuilding the State’s Manufacturing Base

This third paper in the series shows how bipartisan efforts to create a more resilient energy system and secure supply chains have created a resurgence in manufacturing investments across the state.

Read the third white paper.

Additional Information

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We are currently seeking input from energy project developers and other interested stakeholders on the potential for North Carolina to create what's known as a State Energy Financing Institution, or SEFI.

Read more about our Request for Information and how you can participate.

 

 

There are many opportunities for your business to take advantage of the emerging energy economy and our team is available to assist you.

If you are managing an active economic development project related to any energy sub-sector, contact our colleagues at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina for assistance.

The State of North Carolina and the Department of Commerce has conducted several in-depth studies relevant to the clean energy economy and has published assessments and reports about various aspects of the state's opportunity to serve and benefit from the industry as it grows in the United States.  The state has also entered into agreements related to offshore wind energy with the U.K. and Danish governments, and the states of Maryland and Virginia.

Reports and Materials

Agreements

Relevant Legislation

Relevant Executive Orders

Executive OrderTitleNotes
EO80North Carolina's Commitment to Address Climate Change and Transition to a Clean Energy Economy
EO218Advancing North Carolina's Economic and Clean Energy Future with Offshore Wind
EO246North Carolina's Transformation to a Clean, Equitable Economy
  • Established science-based goals of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050;
  • Established a goal that 1.25 million Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) would be registered in the state by 2030;
  • Established that cabinet agencies like Commerce would implement formal Public Participation Plans to solicit public input to help guide policymaking

Jennifer Mundt
Assistant Secretary of Energy & Infrastructure
jennifer.mundt@commerce.nc.gov
(919) 441-7430

Biography

 

Frank Muraca
Energy Workforce Analyst
frank.muraca@commerce.nc.gov
(919) 814-4708

Biography
In April 2025, Frank Muraca joined the Department of Commerce as an Energy Workforce Analyst, where he conducts data analysis and program evaluation to support the state’s clean energy workforce initiatives.

Prior to joining Commerce, Frank was Assistant Director for Data & Analytics at the Development Finance Initiative (DFI) based in UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Government. In that role, he helped local governments across North Carolina collect, synthesize, and interpret data and analysis for decision-making related to public-private partnerships for real estate development. In addition to this work, Frank taught local government staff and elected officials how to use public data to better understand local housing markets and affordable housing needs.

Frank received his master’s in City & Planning from UNC-Chapel Hill and his bachelor’s in Economics from George Mason University. He continues to teach a graduate-level course in data visualization and communication at the University’s Department of City & Regional Planning.

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This page was last modified on 10/07/2025