Public hearing in Reidsville Tuesday evening will address climate crisis, clean energy
As a three-year global heatwave continues month after month, climate justice nonprofit NC WARN is contesting a Florida-based corporation’s application to build a large, climate-wrecking power plant near Reidsville, NC.
NTE Carolinas is seeking permission from state regulators to construct the 500-megawatt power plant, and to sell the power – generated by burning fracked natural gas – to unnamed municipal utilities or electric co-ops.
NC WARN has intervened in the case because there is a glut of regional power supply – with many plants sitting idle much of the year – and because of the disastrous climate impacts from the natural gas industry and especially the fracking boom.
NC WARN members and allies will speak at a public hearing held by the NC Utilities Commission:
Tuesday, October 25th at 7pm
Rockingham Co. Courthouse, Superior Courtroom A
170 Highway 65
Reidsville, NC
Methane is deliberately vented and leaking in disturbing amounts during the drilling, processing and transportation of natural gas – from fracking well to power plant. Leading scientists now say these super-potent emissions make the use of gas for electricity even worse than coal for the climate crisis, which is nearing an ominous tipping point.
Both NASA and NOAA continue documenting an unprecedented, global heat wave since 2014. This year is on track to far surpass the all-time global average heat record set in 2015. The heat wave coincides with surging methane emissions from the US fracking boom, although there is no proof that the methane is causing the persistent heat.
NC WARN has filed expert testimony by Bill Powers, a San Diego-based engineer specializing in the electric power industry and clean, distributed energy solutions. NTE tried but failed to kick NC WARN out of the case even after the Commission admitted us as intervenor.
North Carolina should be retiring fossil fuel plants – not building more. We should be protecting against rate increases by joining the clean energy revolution – by expanding affordable, renewable energy, and battery storage and energy-saving programs.
