From the editorial boards of the News & Observer and Charlotte Observer. It sounded good a few years ago: natural gas, cleaner than coal and better for the environment. But now burning more natural gas is sounding like the wrong turn at the wrong time.
Duke Energy Gas Expansion
Duke Energy is planning a massive increase in its burning of natural gas to produce electricity. This would be a climate disaster because of the large amounts of super-potent methane that leak unburned from gas operations, particularly fracking. Recent science from the United Nations and others show that new gas infrastructure is incompatible with the goal of preventing catastrophic climate change. Read more here and in the news items below about NC WARN’s work to block Duke’s fracking gas future.
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Hundreds of WUNC Radio Listeners Call for Attention to Climate Solutions, Fracked Gas and Duke Energy — News Release from NC WARN
More than 400 public radio supporters and listeners have called on WUNC Radio management to help the public better understand the causes and potential solutions to the accelerating climate crisis, and they expressed their concern that “WUNC may be downplaying the dangers of Duke Energy’s growing use of natural gas,” particularly in light of Duke’s prominent advertising on the station.
Duke scientist: Stop building natural gas infrastructure now — WRAL
Experts’ Letter Asks Gov. To Halt Construction Of New Gas Plants And Pipelines — WFAE
Duke climatologist seeks a halt on gas-fired power plants, Atlantic Coast Pipeline — News & Observer
One of the world’s leading climate scientists said the state’s long-range clean energy plan doesn’t go far enough to curb a potent greenhouse gas. In a letter to Gov. Roy Cooper dated Thursday, Drew Shindell, Nicholas Professor of Earth Science at Duke University, takes aim at methane, a gas more efficient than carbon dioxide at holding heat.
Top Climate Expert Says Stop Utility Gas Expansions — News Release From NC WARN
Leading Climate-Methane Expert Calls for Halt to Expansion of Natural Gas for Electricity across the United States. NC governor, other U.S. leaders urged to issue moratorium on new pipelines, power plants by Duke Energy and other major utilities.
See articles by News & Observer, WRAL, WFAE
PacifiCorp’s transition to renewables and battery storage sets a new industry pace — IEEFA
PacifiCorp’s announcement last week that it will build thousands of megawatts of new wind, solar and battery storage capacity in its transition away from coal will reshape electricity markets across the West over the next 10 years. Its impact will be felt nationally, too, perhaps nowhere as much as in the Southeast.