North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG) Education Fund is the policy arm of the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group, a left-leaning lobbying group. It produces research papers on energy, environmental, health care, and consumer issues. It is the North Carolina state affiliate of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US-PIRG). ^[1]

NCPIRG Education Fund has advocated for price controls on pharmaceuticals, ^[2] Amazon products, ^[3] and products with an environmental impact. ^[4] The group also promotes government-mandated emissions limitations from the federal and local level. ^[5]

Policy Research

North Carolina Public Interest Research Group Education Fund favors price controls on pharmaceuticals, as well as weakening patent protections for pharmaceuticals. ^[6] It also advocates for a complete federal ban on all flavored e-cigarette products. ^[7]

The group produced research on COVID-19. ^[8] It also promoted reports from its national parent regarding healthcare worker safety ^[9] and restrictions on equipment repairs in hospitals. ^[10] It published a guide on avoiding high priced items on Amazon at the beginning of the pandemic. The guide advocated for price controls and encouraged readers to sign a petition against price increases on Amazon. ^[11]

The group’s environmental research has been conducted through Environment North Carolina Research and Policy Center since 2006. ^[12] The Policy Center’s research advocated for state-mandated restrictions against auto and industrial emissions in North Carolina. ^[13]

The group claims that temperatures will increase by 1.5 to 2 degrees by the end of century and calls for a transition to 100% weather-dependent wind and solar energy. The group also calls for national, state, and local governments to remove all incentives for fossil fuel production, and advocates for “zero-emissions transportation” such as electric buses. ^[14] It advocates that all buses be electric by 2030, all new cars be electric by 2035, and  bike riding to reduce auto emissions. ^[15]

NCPIRG Education Fund argues for a pollution tax to fund waste cleanup. It asserts that climate change will cause spills of toxic waste into residential communities. ^[16]

It also advocates for a complete ban on single use plastics, as well as price controls so that “goods reflect the environmental” impact of those goods. The group does not explain how environmental impact-based pricing would occur. ^[17]

Finances

In 2016, NCPIRG Education Fund’s revenue was $144,185, all of which came from grants and contributions. Expenses were $136,140, largely for program services. The nonprofit’s total assets are $89,616. ^[18]

In March 2016, the nonprofit received a $2,500 grant from Strowd Roses, ^[19] a foundation that funds nonprofits.