Gov. Cooper pushes progress toward zero emissions with more electric buses and vehicles

Governor Roy Cooper is promoting his latest executive order to cut green-house emissions in half over the next 8 years. A big source of that pollution comes from public transportation, especially buses.

Governor Cooper toured the GoRaleigh bus garage to see the latest “green” improvements in bus technology. A new executive order signed last week means more of compressed natural gas and especially electric models will replace traditional buses.

"We in North Carolina are going to reduce our overall green House gas emissions by 50% by 2030," said Gov. Cooper at a media gathering.

In addition, House bill 951, now in place, requires reduction of carbon emissions by 70% by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. Cooper said, "One of the goals of this executive order is to create a clean energy transportation plan.”

The governor commended other large cities like Greensboro, Charlotte, Asheville and Black Mountain for going in the same direction to reduce emissions.

Cooper says a major challenge new infrastructure to spread out more charging stations for electric powered vehicles across the state.

“This executive order set a goal of getting 1.25 million zero emission vehicles on our roads by 2030," said Gov. Cooper.

Reid Wilson, NC secretary of the department of natural and cultural resources echoed Cooper’s push to help those who use bus transportation the most. “All North Carolinians Regardless of their background, regardless of where they live, deserve environmental justice.”

Sec. Wilson added, "We must do more to remove the harmful effects of pollution on the health of people who live in underserved communities, but equally important, we must provide equitable access to the good things that the environment provides."

That is, said Wilson, more trails and parks across the state.