North Carolina's energy policy and economic recovery are at a crossroads. The state lacks the necessary infrastructure to move low-cost, clean-burning natural gas into the state, leading to higher electricity prices and a reduction in the standard of living. The Cooper administration's decision to deny a critical water permit for the Mountain View Project, a pipeline that would have brought natural gas into the state, has exacerbated the problem. Meanwhile, the state's reliance on renewable energy sources is not a viable solution, as they are intermittent and cannot meet the state's energy demands. The Green New Deal, which aims to transition the country to 100% renewable energy, is also not a feasible solution for North Carolina. The state needs to focus on developing its nuclear power capabilities and increasing its natural gas infrastructure to meet its energy needs.
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