Sen. Kennedy files energy efficiency bill in North Carolina Senate

A new bill filed by State Sen. Kennedy seeks to improve energy efficiency in local school administrative units across North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 644 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Green Schools Save Money.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill allocates $1.5 billion from the General Fund to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the 2025-26 fiscal year to enhance energy efficiency in local school administrative units. Of this, $1 billion is designated for energy efficiency upgrades in school buildings, including high-efficiency lighting, improved insulation, weatherized openings, and upgraded heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Additionally, $250 million is allocated for installing solar photovoltaic panels on school buildings and necessary roof repairs, while another $250 million is earmarked for replacing school buses over 10 years old with electric-powered buses assembled in North Carolina. The act takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Graig Meyer proposed the most bills (36) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Garrett graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007 with a BSBA.

Garrett, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 27th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Trudy Wade.