North Carolina businesses are defecting from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's opposition to clean energy legislation.

The list of companies that are criticizing the U.S. Chamber or have publicly broken with the organization over its head-in-the-sand stance is growing and now includes Apple, Pacific Gas and Electric, Microsoft, Nike, and GE, among others.

On Thursday, officials from three North Carolina companies will hold a news conference affirming their opposition to the chamber and their support of energy legislation.

The companies are Argand Energy Solutions of Charlotte, Burt's Bees of Durham and T.S. Designs of Burlington.