NORTH CAROLINA’S GREEN ENERGY ECONOMY CONTINUES RAPID GROWTH, DESPITE RECESSION

RALEIGH, NC – The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) has released the 2009 North Carolina Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industries Census, which identified 10,250 green energy jobs in all 100 counties of North Carolina. The annual report was released at NCSEA’s forum, “Growing North Carolina’s Green Energy Economy: Learning, Connecting & Creating Opportunities Together,” which was held at the Charlotte Convention Center on Friday, October 9 with close to 400 attendees from across the state. Click here to download the full report.

Earlier this summer, NCSEA identified and surveyed 1,136 firms potentially meeting these criteria. The firms largely represented businesses, but several state agencies, education outfits, and non-profits were also included. A total of 548 firms met the qualifications and responded to the census’ 23 questions. Another 110 firms indicated they did not meet any of the qualifying criteria.

The 2009 report estimates that the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries employ 10,250 full-time equivalent employees across a broad supply chain in North Carolina. Manufacturers support the greatest percentage of employees – 23% of the reported jobs were with firms that identified manufacturing as most important to their business.

NCSEA estimates that renewable energy and energy efficiency industries generate more than $3.5 billion in annual revenue from North Carolina activities, with the industries maintaining a presence in all 100 North Carolina counties. 

Wake County is leading the state’s green energy economy due to its 141 firms reporting a presence. Mecklenburg County ranks second with 99 firms and Buncombe County ranks third with 57 firms. NCSEA defines a “presence” as having a headquarters, satellite office, manufacturing facility, or remotely located employees. The Research Triangle Region supports 36% of the reporting firms’ headquarters.

More information is available by downloading the full report...



Click here to download the 2009 Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Industries Census.

Click here to download the press release announcing the 2009 Industries Census.

Click here for more information on the 2008 Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Industries Census.

Join North Carolina's sustainable energy business leaders in urging members of Congress to pass legislation which creates clean energy jobs, achieves energy independence, reduces climate change pollution and transitions to a clean energy economy. This letter will be sent to our state's Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Kay Hagan and Richard Burr and U.S. Representatives G.K. Butterfield, Bob Etheridge, Walter Jones, David Price, Virginia Foxx, Howard Coble, Mike McIntyre, Sue Myrick, Patrick McHenry, Heath Schuler, Mel Watt and Brad Miller.

Click here to read the full letter. If you support the federal climate and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) legislation and would like your name added to this letter, please provide your contact information at the end of the online form.

Thank you for your support!

On October 9, NCSEA released the 2009 NC Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Industries Census, which identified 10,250 green energy jobs in all 100 counties of North Carolina generating an estimated $3.5 billion in annual revenue. Click here for more information.

More than 400 leaders from communities across North Carolina attended events at the Charlotte Convention Center on Oct. 8-9 focused on our state's Green Energy Economy. NCSEA hosted the events entitled, GROWING NORTH CAROLINA'S GREEN ENERGY ECONOMY: Learning, Connecting & Creating Opportunities Together.

Click here to view a slide show of photographs from the events. (Photographs taken by Andrew Whelan.)

Thursday evening's Networking Reception featured remarks by Amory Lovins, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, a highly-acclaimed author and one of our nation's leading voices on renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency solutions.

All day on Friday, October 9, NCSEA hosted a major Green Energy Economy forum, which included the organization's Annual Membership Meeting. The highlights of the day included the release of the long-awaited 2009 Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Industries Census, the election of NCSEA's 2010 Board of Directors and remarks by the luncheon keynote speaker John Morrison, North Carolina's new Assistant Secretary of Energy at the Department of Commerce. The forum also featured informational panel discussions, presentations, Q&A sessions, remarks by Charlotte's Mayor Pat McCrory, and the announcement of the 2009 sustainable energy awards.

The 2009 sales tax holiday weekend for Energy Star qualified products is November 6 -8, beginning at 12:01 am on Friday and continuing until 11:59 pm on Sunday. These three days offer shoppers the opportunity to save money on Energy Star qualified appliances - and you'll continue saving money for years to come on your electric bills.

Energy Star Qualified Products

An “Energy Star qualified product” is defined as a product that meet the energy efficiency guidelines developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy and is authorized to carry the Energy Star label. In addition to saving the environment, many consumers benefit from savings related to their utility bills.

Numerous items are exempt for state and local sales tax during the Energy Star sales tax holiday. Not having to pay these taxes can make the task of shopping a little more rewarding for the budget-conscious consumer. Examples of items that can be purchased tax-free include:

• (Clothes) Washing machines
  
• Freezers and refrigerators
• Central air conditioners and room air conditioners
• Air-source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps
• Ceiling fans
• Dehumidifiers
  
• Programmable thermostats

Note that exemption is not allowed for items that are rented during the period or purchased for use in a trade or business. For more detail about exempt appliances, please refer to North Carolina Sales and Use Tax Bulletin 34-27. Also provided in this guidance are answers to frequently asked questions about the Energy Star sales tax holiday as summarized below.

Participating Retailers

What types of stores participate in the North Carolina sales tax holiday? All retailers must legally participate in the Energy Star sales tax holiday and not charge tax on eligible items.

Are items purchased on layaway eligible for the sales tax exemption? Yes. Eligible items purchased that were placed on layaway prior to the November sales tax holiday are exempt if the final payment is made during the tax-free period. Additionally, the sale of eligible items under a layaway plan are exempt from sales tax if the buyer chooses an item and the store accepts the order during the sales tax holiday, even if the item is delivered after the holiday period.

Are goods purchased using rain checks eligible for the sales tax exemption? Yes, but only if the eligible item is delivered during the sales tax period.

How does a buyer get a refund of sales tax if the store charged the wrong tax? If a retailer charges the wrong sales tax, a buyer must return to the retailer with a copy of the receipt to obtain a refund.

Do purchases made via the Internet qualify to be exempt from sales tax? Yes. In fact sales made online on the Internet, by mail order, telephone, or other non-storefront qualify for the exemption for eligible items. To qualify, the buyer must order and pay for the item during the sales tax period and the retailer must accept the order and take action to fill the order for immediate delivery.

• North Carolina Department of Revenue website
• North Carolina Sales and Use Tax Bulletin 34-27
• North Carolina Sales and Use Tax Bulletin 34-24
• The information contained on this page is for general guidance only. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consulting with professional accounting, tax, legal or other competent advisers.