Governor Josh Stein has announced several initiatives aimed at reducing energy costs and expanding economic opportunities in North Carolina. During his latest NC Strong Update, Governor Stein introduced an online dashboard that tracks growth across all 100 counties in the state, including job creation, community investments, and relief from medical debt.
To address increasing utility bills, the Energy Saver NC program has been expanded statewide. The initiative offers rebates for home efficiency upgrades and high-efficiency electrical appliances, with eligible households able to save up to $1,000 annually on utility bills. Households can receive up to $16,000 in rebates for improvements such as heat pump systems and insulation, along with additional rebates of up to $14,000 for efficient appliances like water heaters and electric cooktops.
“Electricity bills are too high, and I am committed to doing everything I can to lower your costs,” said Governor Josh Stein. “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 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), added: “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, Executive Director of C4EE (Center for Energy Education), commented on 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. 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.”
The program aims not only at lowering household expenses but also at making homes safer and more resilient while supporting over 2,000 contractor jobs throughout North Carolina.
In addition to efforts on energy savings, Governor Stein announced he would allocate discretionary funds from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) toward NC Career Launch—a program designed to expand youth apprenticeships across high-demand sectors such as child care, health care, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing. This funding comes from federal WIOA Title I Programs administered by the N.C. Department of Commerce.
“The promise of North Carolina is simple: If you work hard, where you come from should not limit how far you can go,” said Governor Josh Stein. “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 noted: “Our Division of Workforce Solutions is excited to support NC Career Launch which will strengthen North Carolina’s capacity to expand work-based learning. Leveraging partnerships with the NCWorks Commission and local workforce development boards, NC Career Launch highlights the innovative approach that has made our state a national leader in workforce development.”
Governor Stein highlighted CaroMont Health’s nursing apprenticeship program as an example addressing projected nursing shortages within North Carolina’s healthcare system by improving retention rates through apprenticeships rather than relying solely on traditional recruitment methods.
Janice Hill from CaroMont Regional Medical Center said: “As a nurse of 40 years I’ve seen that best way address deepening nursing health care shortages invest people already communities Apprenticeships pre-apprenticeships give motivated students employees real pathway into nursing health care careers And they help us build workforce prepared care neighbors.”
Since taking office in January 2025 Governor Stein has reported over 35,[000 new jobs](https://www.nccommerce.com/news/press-releases/governor-stein-announces-more-35000-new-jobs-and-over-24-billion-investments-north-carolina) created alongside more than [$24 billion invested](https://www.nccommerce.com/news/press-releases/governor-stein-announces-more-35000-new-jobs-and-over-24-billion-investments-north-carolina) into North Carolina’s economy.
The end-of-year report released by [the Governor’s Council on Workforce & Apprenticeships](https://governor.nc.gov/media/4017/download?attachment) outlines strategies focused on employer leadership alignment among stakeholders clear pathways good jobs accountability results including doubling apprenticeships statewide.
Funding directed toward these apprenticeship programs represents part of a federal award totaling over $66 million provided through WIOA Title I Programs fully supported by U.S Department Labor.
