Governor Josh Stein has announced new measures aimed at reducing energy costs and supporting workforce development in North Carolina. In his latest NC Strong Update, Governor Stein highlighted the expansion of the Energy Saver NC program and introduced an online dashboard to track growth across all 100 counties in the state.
To address increasing utility bills, the Energy Saver NC program will now be available statewide. The initiative offers households up to $1,000 in annual savings on utility bills through rebates for home efficiency upgrades and high-efficiency electrical appliances. Governor Stein stated, “Electricity bills are too high, and I am committed to doing everything I can to lower your costs. North Carolina is expanding Energy Saver NC to all 100 counties. Now, eligible families across the state will be able to lower their energy bills about $1,000 a year on average and improve the comfort and safety of their homes. These upgrades also strengthen our energy system, help our environment, and support good-paying jobs in communities statewide.”
Reid Wilson, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), noted that North Carolina is leading nationally with this program: “North Carolina is the first state in the nation to fully launch the Energy Saver program. Now that the program is available across the state, eligible North Carolina families can lower their utility bills by up to $80 per month, and their homes will be more comfortable. These energy-saving steps will also reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality while supporting more than 2,000 jobs for the contractors doing the installations. That’s a win all the way around for North Carolina.”
Mozine Lowe from The Center for Energy Education described community feedback: “The Center for Energy Education has spent the past few months reaching out to our community to inform residents and help them apply and receive rebates from Energy Saver NC,” she said. “We often hear from our community, ‘My house has never felt this warm,’ or ‘My light bill is $100 less this month.’ We are excited to support Energy Saver NC into in its 100 counties to secure clean energy futures for all.”
Households may qualify for up to $16,000 in rebates for improvements like heat pump systems and insulation; additional rebates up to $14,000 are available for efficient appliances such as water heaters or electric cooktops.
In addition to cost savings on power bills, these efforts aim at reducing pollution and strengthening grid reliability while supporting over 2,000 contractor jobs throughout North Carolina.
Alongside these energy initiatives, Governor Stein announced that discretionary funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) would go toward expanding youth apprenticeships via NC Career Launch. This program helps businesses create registered apprenticeship opportunities starting with students as early as grades 11-12 in sectors including child care, health care, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing.
Governor Stein emphasized opportunity: “The promise of North Carolina is simple: If you work hard, where you come from should not limit how far you can go,” he said. “Apprenticeships unlock doors of opportunity for the next generation, and they help our state meet its workforce needs. Career Launch will support students in being prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley commented on workforce innovation: “Our Division of Workforce Solutions is excited to support NC Career Launch which will strengthen North Carolina’s capacity to expand work-based learning,” he said.
Governor Stein referenced CaroMont Health’s nursing apprenticeship as an example amid projections that North Carolina could soon face one of America’s worst nursing shortages—a challenge currently addressed by programs yielding better retention rates compared with traditional recruitment methods.
Janice Hill from CaroMont Regional Medical Center added perspective from her experience: “As a nurse of 40 years… Apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships give motivated students and employees a real pathway into nursing and health care careers.”
These actions align with recommendations set out by Governor Stein’s Council on Workforce & Apprenticeships report released last December—an effort aiming at doubling apprenticeships statewide by leveraging employer leadership alongside public accountability.
Josh Stein serves as governor—the chief executive role established since 1776—which includes enforcing laws statewide according to official information. The office directs policy implementation through budget management; chairs both Council of State meetings; appoints executive officials; leads National Guard operations; grants pardons; influences policy decisions affecting every resident as outlined by government resources.
