Sid Shapiro and Ajulo Othow: Clean, affordable electricity for all in NC
Published on December 18, 2022 ; Sid Shapiro and Ajulo Othow
Originally published in the Winston-Salem Journal and the Greensboro News & Record, this op-ed by Sid Shapiro and Ajulo Othow calls for clean, affordable electricity that doesn’t leave behind low-wealth communities—especially Black farmers in North Carolina. While major players like Walmart and environmental advocates challenge Duke Energy’s carbon reduction plan, the needs of vulnerable ratepayers have been largely overlooked.
The authors argue that the shift to renewable energy must be equitable. Nearly one in six North Carolinians struggled to pay an energy bill last year, and systemic inequities mean those most affected are often low-income and people of color. As emphasized in the earlier summary, Othow’s broader work—including micro solar leases and agrivoltaics—demonstrates how small-scale solar projects can empower rural landowners, preserve generational farms, and support local energy resilience. Together, these efforts highlight the urgent need for inclusive energy policies that prioritize both climate goals and social justice.
Sid Shapiro holds the Fletcher Chair in Administrative Law at the Wake Forest University School of Law, and Ajulo Othow is founder and CEO of EnerWealth Solutions in Oxford, N.C. Both serve on the board of directors of the Center for Progressive Reform.
