RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue today announced appointees to the North Carolina Energy Policy Council. The council was reorganized during the past legislative session as part of Gov. Perdue’s strategy to make North Carolina a leader in green economy jobs by strengthening state leadership in energy policy and making smart investments to create green jobs and foster innovation.
“We must continue to act aggressively to make North Carolina a global leader in the green economyand the Energy Policy Council is a critical part of my efforts to strengthen energy policymaking in state government,” Gov. Perdue said.
The council will hold its first meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the offices of Advanced Energy on the N.C. State University Centennial Campus.
Tim Toben of Chapel Hill, a principal in green energy and green building ventures in the state, has been named chairman of the council. He serves on the N.C. Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change and is chairman of the Board of Visitors at the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment.
The law requires that Gov. Perdue’s appointees come from specific sectors of the state’s energy economy, as follows:
Electric power industry: George Everett, of Raleigh – Duke Energy
Natural gas industry: George Baldwin, of Charlotte – Piedmont Natural Gas
Energy policy matters: Jo Anne Sanford, Raleigh – Sanford Law Offices
Alternative fuels and biofuels: Steven Burke, Oxford – Biofuels Center
Energy efficient building design or construction: Tim Toben, Chapel Hill – Greenbridge Development
Environmental protection: Michael Regan, Raleigh – Environmental Defense Fund
Providing renewable energy services: Marcus Wilhelm, Chapel Hill – Solar Tech South
Renewable sources of energy: Simon Rich, Edenton -- Fuqua Rich Weeks LLC
County or city commissioner: Rodney W. Locks, – Brevard City Council
Development of energy-related businesses: Henry McKoy, Durham – Fourth Sector Financial
Low-income residential weatherization: Reginald Speight of Williamston – Martin County Community Action
Petroleum industry: Kevin Garrison, of Concord- South Central Oil Company
Appointed by Senate President ProTem Marc Basnight are Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange and Sen. Richard Stevens, R-Wake. Appointed by House Speaker Joe Hackney are Rep. Angela Bryant, D-Nash and Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford.