This article is part of a series examining the positions of 2026 Southeastern candidates for state and federal offices on key energy and climate issues. The focus here is on Jennifer Balkcom, the Republican candidate for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.
Key Highlights on Jennifer Balkcom’s Positions:
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Current Role: She is currently a state representative for District 117, elected in 2022, and is a mortgage loan officer from Henderson, NC.
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Renewable Energy: Balkcom voted for Senate Bill 266, which aimed to slow Duke Energy’s renewable energy initiatives.
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Climate Change: By voting for Senate Bill 266, she also eliminated the climate pollution reduction goal set for 2030 by Duke Energy.
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Electric Transportation: Her stance on electric transportation remains unverified through public records or campaign statements.
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Energy Justice: Senate Bill 266, which Balkcom supported, shifted costs from corporate customers to residential ones.
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Energy Affordability: No clear position has been found on this topic.
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High-Risk Energy Sources: She voted in favor of legislation encouraging new nuclear and gas plants while discouraging renewable energy investment.
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Data Centers: She supported a bill regulating data centers through her vote on Senate Bill 730.
Upcoming Election Information:
Election Day is set for November 3, with key deadlines like voter registration on October 9 and early voting starting on October 15.
For additional insights on the candidates, you can explore their positions in this series of articles provided by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, which abstains from endorsing candidates.
