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Jim Warren

Utilities Chair Deadbolts the Door on Duke Energy’s Backroom Deal — News Release from NC WARN

After a week of damaging revelations about millions in “erroneous” overcharges by Duke Energy, NC Utilities Commission Chairman Ed Finley severely limited the rate case trial at a crucial moment last Friday, and used a false statement to do it. By disallowing NC WARN from questioning a witness about key aspects of the backroom deal-making that led to a proposed settlement between Duke and the Commission’s Public Staff, Finley effectively prevented public scrutiny of the deal and the actions of the publicly-paid employees who made it.

Duke Energy admits to more mistakes in rate hike case — WNCN

NC WARN, has accused Duke Energy of “gross incompetence” or “corporate fraud.” The environmental justice group claims the nation’s largest utility company deliberately tried to defraud North Carolinians by submitting a rate hike proposal with expenses including corporate jet travel and political contributions.

Four agendas at play in Duke Energy’s NC rate hearing — Charlotte Business Journal

The principal players battling over Duke Energy Carolinas’ proposed 5.1% rate hike had significantly different ideas about what this week’s hearing before the N.C. Utilities Commission was about. For Duke, the hearing was about $3.8 billion in new costs it must cover. For the commission’s public staff, it was about the how the agency’s proposed rate settlement balances Duke’s needs with those of customers. For the N.C. attorney general’s office, the hearing was about what return on equity Duke will be allowed and whether customers can afford it. For watchdog group NC WARN, it was about whether Duke can be trusted to honestly report costs and whether regulators will police the utility.