Opponents of a power plant that has been proposed for Duke University’s campus say it is unneeded and would expand the use of natural gas obtained through the controversial process of “fracking.” Duke agreed last year to allow Duke Energy to build the 21-megawatt combined heat and power plant. A meeting for people to speak in favor of or against the $55 million plant took place Monday night and while the discussion remained peaceful, attendees made it very clear they felt the process was flawed from the beginning.
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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Flagrant Foul called by Duke University Neighbors due to Backroom Dealing over Duke Energy Fracked-gas Power Plant — News Advisory from NC WARN
Neighbors of Duke University plan to call a “flagrant foul” against the president of the basketball powerhouse at a Monday meeting that was quietly arranged just days ago by the administration. Durham residents are angry that university officials have blocked open debate about a Duke Energy proposal for a campus power plant that would burn fracked gas.
Outgoing Energy Regulator Urged his Agency to Improve its Review of Gas Pipelines — News Release from NC WARN
The showing of need made by the Commission should be based on more than the contracts between two parties who are, in the case of the proposed ACP, two of the owners of the pipeline. The impacts of fracking, and venting and leakage of methane throughout the natural gas infrastructure, should enter into every decision made by the Commission.
Opponents unite against proposed natural gas plant at Duke University — News & Observer
Nearly two dozen environmental and community groups have voiced their opposition to a proposed Duke Energy natural gas plant at Duke University, which is now stalled in the state approval process.
Norman L. Christensen: Duke University gas plant should be rejected — News & Observer
Duke’s recent proposal to build a new natural gas plant on its campus would send a dangerous signal to those that look to Duke as a model. Climate change was created by fossil fuels – a new investment that could leave the university dependent on fracked gas beyond the year 2050 is not a climate solution. Research by Duke’s own faculty has revealed the dangers of such natural gas production – from water contamination to leaks of methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide.
Pipeline protest marches through NC — WRAL
A group of people opposed to a plan that would have a pipeline running through North Carolina are on a 15-day walk to protest the project. Watch video.
Atlantic Coast Pipeline: Gambling billions of public dollars as fracked gas supply is highly doubtful — News Release from NC WARN
Energy specialist Art Berman also questions shale gas supply estimates, as he wrote last year after the Energy Information Agency – despite falling production – greatly increased its forecasts of gas supply: “The recently released EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2016 sparkles with pixie dust as it forecasts almost unlimited gas supply at low prices out to 2040 and beyond.”
Duke Energy Executives Count on Climate-Wrecking Fracked Gas & Captive Regulators – but Little Solar or Wind – for Years to Come — News Release from NC WARN
If the NC Utilities Commission approves Duke Energy’s latest 15-year Integrated Resource Plan, it risks bankrupting North Carolina’s economy through costly overbuilding of high-risk power plants. And the utility will continue fouling our air and water while escalating the global climate crisis as one of the world’s largest carbon polluters.
Duke-Dominion Withheld Gas Pipeline Data, Groups Charge – News Release from NC WARN
Intervenor NC WARN and 20 allied nonprofits yesterday told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that the agency must carefully review the new data and prepare a new EIS before rescheduling public hearings that had been set to begin in mid-February in North Carolina and Virginia.
Will Duke University Rise to Become a Climate Hero? — WCHL
Commentary by Jim Warren. Duke University can help slow the climate crisis – or make it worse at a critical time.