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New Report Highlights Solar Energy Growth In North Carolina

Crews complete construction of the solar panel structure at the O2 Energies solar panel farm in Newland, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

A new report shows major growth in North Carolina's renewable energy industry, even as state law has slowed the advance of wind power.

The survey ranks North Carolina third in the nation in the growth of solar energy production.

It also gives the state high marks in energy efficiency savings, availability of electric charging stations and the number of electric vehicles sold.

Renewable energy continues to be a strong part of the local economy, with the state hosting about 1,000 clean energy companies that provide over 34,000 full-time jobs.

The report was co-authored by the advocacy group Environment N.C., and by the national research organization Frontier Group.

According to the News and Observer, one hurdle for the industry has been legislation that contains an 18-month moratorium on wind projects that are opposed by Governor Roy Cooper.

But wind advocates are hopeful lawmakers will allow the moratorium to expire without any additional state interference.

Neal Charnoff joined 88.5 WFDD as Morning Edition host in 2014. Raised in the Catskill region of upstate New York, he graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1983. Armed with a liberal arts degree, Neal was fully equipped to be a waiter. So he prolonged his arrested development bouncing around New York and L.A. until discovering that people enjoyed listening to his voice on the radio. After a few years doing overnight shifts at a local rock station, Neal spent most of his career at Vermont Public Radio. He began as host of a nightly jazz program, where he was proud to interview many of his idols, including Dave Brubeck and Sonny Rollins. Neal graduated to the news department, where he was the local host for NPR's All Things Considered for 14 years. In addition to news interviews and features, he originated and produced the Weekly Conversation On The Arts, as well as VPR Backstage, which profiled theater productions around the state. He contributed several stories to NPR, including coverage of a devastating ice storm. Neal now sees the value of that liberal arts degree, and approaches life with the knowledge that all subjects and all art forms are connected to each other. Neal and his wife Judy are enjoying exploring North Carolina and points south. They would both be happy to never experience a Vermont winter again.

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