Highlights about Energy

The Carrboro Town Council urges the governor to push Duke Energy toward renewable power, celebrates Creek Week and Transgender Day of Visibility, and reviews years of racial equity work. The council also hears concerns over a community center rental dispute and highlights resident-led Green Neighborhood Grant projects tackling flooding and extreme heat.

The Sangamon County Board hears sharply contrasting views on a proposed Cyrus One data center, with residents urging a data center moratorium over concerns about electricity rates, farmland loss, and long-term risks, while labor and economic development leaders and the company emphasize a $500 million investment, local jobs, training pipelines, and major new tax revenue.

The Carrboro Town Council welcomes a new poet laureate and planning director, recognizes National Mentoring Month, and celebrates a national award for its budget. Staff then walk the council through the town’s greenhouse gas inventory, acknowledge that Carrboro is unlikely to hit its 2030 reduction target (although it has made great strides to decrease emissions) and field questions about EV fleet upgrades, rooftop solar, and geothermal options for key buildings.

The Board of Aldermen clarified minutes to bar threats and abusive language during public comment, then passed an extended agreement in regards to budget for Milford's Power Plant PILOT with a 9–6 vote to align with budgeted revenue. The board also noted a 2.8-cent electricity rate increase and advanced stricter vendor rules for school events.