Ned Barnett’s column explaining how Duke Energy is actually inhibiting the growth of renewable power while greatly expanding fossil fuels was right on target. Duke’s reply letter from NC President Stephen De May — bragging about their commitment to renewables — was predictable corporate propaganda that clashes head-on with the official forecast Duke must file with regulators.
In its latest 15-year Integrated Resource Plan filed in September, Duke projects to be 5 percent renewable in the Carolinas by next year. In 2033, Duke projects to be 8 percent renewable — which is under the current national average for utilities.
Meanwhile, Duke projects to build nearly 12,000 megawatts of generation from natural gas during that period – the equivalent of 30 large power plants — at the very time that the world’s climate scientists demand we must be closing fossil fuel projects.
No wonder Duke spends tens of millions of customer dollars every year to make people think it’s a green corporation.
Jim Warren
Executive Director
NC WARN
