As we mourn the loss of former Appalachian State University (ASU) Chancellor Dr. Ken Peacock today, I’m reminded of his appearance in the well of the North Carolina House after celebrating the Mountaineers’ third national football championship with Coach Jerry Moore where he slammed his fist on the podium and declared there’s only one university on “a hill”…North Carolina and the ASU nation stand on his shoulders.
I am deeply disappointed that Gov. Cooper vetoed SB 678, which will discourage projects such as conversion of the Belews Creek coal-fired plant to a cleaner, zero-emission, nuclear-powered energy source that would meet growing energy demands and provide economic development opportunities without compromising grid reliability or affordability. We have an opportunity in North Carolina to be energy independent like France and drive toward clean energy.
It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of U.S. Sen. Lauch Faircloth. His career in public service spanned decades and his contributions to the people of North Carolina and the country were numerous. He brought attention to the importance of agriculture in our economy and made sure people knew food came from a farm, not a store. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family.