Statement from Greenpeace, AARP NC and NC WARN. The state agency that supposedly represents North Carolina electricity customers has cut a deal with Duke Energy to settle a controversial rate hike request. The NC Utilities Commission’s Public Staff announced the deal today before even considering evidence being prepared by public interest groups, businesses and local governments – and before public hearings set for Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Hillsborough.
Duke Energy & State Regulators
NC WARN regularly challenges Duke Energy to make a rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and energy efficiency. We intervene at the NC Utilities Commission in cases involving Duke’s rate increases and 15-year Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs). And we have repeatedly reached out directly to the corporation’s executives, seeking to collaborate with them on finding ways to avert climate catastrophe. A few examples are listed here.
Related:
- Check out the new coalition: Energy Justice NC: End the Duke Monopoly
- Duke Energy page on Energy & Policy Institute website
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Duke Energy aumentará precios si la propuesta es aprobada por un comité — La Conexión
Burning the Public: Duke Energy’s Rate Secrets
Burning the Public: Duke Energy’s Rate Secrets – Part 2 — News Release from NC WARN
Each year, Duke Energy charges North Carolina ratepayers for money poured onto groups representing both major political parties at the federal and state levels, according to documents obtained by NC WARN during the discovery phase of Duke’s current rate hike request. Second installment of our Burning the Public series.
Burning the Public: Duke Energy’s Rate Secrets – Part 1 — News Release from NC WARN
Public, officials debate Duke Energy rate hike — McDowell News
Wednesday evening, the Utilities Commission held its hearing in Marion at the courthouse. Local officials, average McDowell County residents and people from other cities and counties all signed up to speak about Duke’s requested rate hike. Most of them spoke strongly against it. Mayor Steve Little said he wanted to voice his “strongest possible objection” to the rate hike. “A request for an increase of the size that we see is unconscionable,” said Little. “It is simply not reasonable. It is not fair. We are not one of the big guys. We are not rich but we get hammered.”
Public speaks out against Duke rate increase at hearing — Macon County News
On Tuesday, the public had its chance to voice any opposition they had towards Duke Energy and their proposed rate hikes. Duke Energy has proposed a 9.7 percent increase in its electric rates. The North Carolina Utilities Commission is holding hearings across the state to allow the public to have their say. Franklin was the site of one of these hearings — the only one west of Asheville — and people filled the courtroom designated for the hearing at the Macon County Court House Tuesday night.
Discrepancies in Duke Energy’s 20-year Plan Require Full Hearing, Cross Examination — News Release from NC WARN
In a motion filed yesterday, NC WARN, Greenpeace and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League thanked the NC Utilities Commission for its May 10 order questioning Duke’s compliance with state rules requiring “the least cost mix of generation and demand‑reduction measures which is achievable” and called on state regulators to schedule full hearings over discrepancies between statutory requirements, Duke’s official filings and public statements made by CEO Jim Rogers.
N.C. Utilities Commission Challenges Duke Energy on Long-Term Plan
Greenpeace, NC WARN and NC Interfaith Power and Light thank the North Carolina Utilities Commission for challenging Duke Energy to provide an explanation for why the company is not pursuing energy efficiency and renewable energy that would result in lower rates for North Carolina’s families and small businesses.
Climate, rates dominate Duke meeting — Charlotte Observer
Climate change and rate hikes dominated a Duke Energy shareholder meeting Thursday led for the last time by Jim Rogers, outgoing CEO of what the company says is the world’s largest publicly traded utility. Forcefully at times, Rogers defended Duke’s positions – and his own seven-year tenure – on questions ranging from renewable energy to pay raises for directors.