Thousands Denied Access to $208M Energy Savings Program

Gov. Josh Stein announced the statewide expansion of a $208 million home-efficiency initiative, saying the Energy Saver North Carolina program is now open to eligible applicants in all 100 counties and aimed at reducing household utility costs while supporting jobs and environmental goals.

Speaking in Raleigh, Stein described rising energy bills as a major concern and said the federally funded program offers financial relief through rebates for home upgrades and efficient appliances. The program is administered through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and is expected to run through 2031.

“Families get significant savings for upgrading their appliances and HVAC system, and then they save thousands of dollars on their utility bills over time,” Stein said. He added that the work generated by the program is projected to support roughly 2,300 contractor jobs statewide.

Rebates and eligibility

Energy Saver NC provides two primary rebate categories to households that meet eligibility criteria tied to income and projected energy savings:

• Up to $16,000 for efficiency improvements such as insulation or high-efficiency heating and cooling systems

• Up to $14,000 for energy-efficient appliances, including electric stoves or water heaters

State officials say the measures can reduce household energy consumption, improve indoor comfort and cut pollution tied to power generation.

Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson said the initiative could produce environmental and health benefits alongside cost savings. “In addition to helping families save energy and money, these energy efficiency measures will make their homes more comfortable and healthier,” he said.

Program growth and participation

The program launched in select counties in early 2025 and gradually expanded statewide, adding the last counties — including Mecklenburg and Wake — earlier this year. According to state figures, 4,818 applications have been submitted so far, with 1,709 approved and about $770,000 in projects underway in 51 households, leaving a huge gap.

Mozine Lowe, executive director of the Center for Energy Education, said outreach efforts have helped raise awareness and participation in communities. But data shows thousands have not been approved due to strict criteria.

Grid demand and economic factors

Stein linked efficiency efforts to broader energy demand pressures as population growth and development increase electricity needs across North Carolina. He referenced recent calls by Duke Energy for customers to conserve power during winter weather to avoid grid strain.

The governor also pointed to proposals for power-intensive facilities such as data centers, saying new industrial users should shoulder infrastructure costs rather than shifting them to residential customers.

Transparency dashboard unveiled

Alongside the energy update, Stein introduced a new public dashboard designed to track economic indicators by county, including job announcements, investment totals, medical debt relief, and food-assistance outreach.

He said the tool is intended to improve transparency about how state programs affect local communities.

The Energy Saver NC expansion is part of the administration’s broader economic and workforce agenda, which also includes apprenticeship investments and job-recruitment initiatives aimed at balancing cost-of-living pressures with long-term growth. 

Watch the press conference here.

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