The N.C. Utilities Commission issued an order Tuesday clearing the way for it to consider Duke Energy Progress’ proposed 14.9% rate increase. The evidentiary hearing will likely be held by October, and the commission is expected to act so that Duke Progress can implement the new rates at the start of 2018.
Coal & Coal Ash
Due to its size, Duke Energy is pivotal in the fight over coal vs climate. NC WARN and allies blocked the first of two Cliffside units Duke wanted to build – by proving it wasn’t necessary — and continued to struggle against the second unit. We have been protesting Duke Energy’s toxic coal ash spill into the Dan River, and working to ensure that North Carolina electricity customers do not foot the bill for the cleanup of the Dan River and Duke’s other coal ash sites.
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Duke Energy Progress proposes 14.9% N.C. rate hike — Charlotte Business Journal
State Law Requires Duke Energy Shareholders to Pay Billions for Coal Ash Negligence, NC WARN tells Regulators — News Release from NC WARN
Duke Energy has signaled to regulators and reporters that it will seek to bill customers an initial $5 billion for its coal ash negligence. Yesterday, NC WARN filed early comments with the NC Utilities Commission about the upcoming legal battle.
In short, we contend that Duke Energy shareholders must pay for all costs of coal ash cleanup because neither longstanding nor recent state laws allow Duke to raise customer rates to pay for costs resulting from unlawful activities, lawsuit settlements or criminal convictions.
Will you foot the bill for Duke Energy’s coal ash cleanup? — Winston-Salem Journal
Group opposes Duke Energy plans to burn natural gas in Cliffside coal plant — Charlotte Business Journal
Advocacy group NC WARN wants state regulators to hold hearings on Duke Energy’s $56 million plan to upgrade its Cliffside coal units to burn natural gas. NC WARN contends that upgrading Duke Energy’s two Cliffside coal units at the Rogers Energy Complex would be needlessly expensive and environmentally unsound.
Neighbors of Coal Ash Invite Gov. McCrory to Dinner — News Release from ACT Against Coal Ash
Rein in Duke Energy, Groups Tell Attorney General — News Release from NC WARN
An alliance of nonprofits today called for NC Attorney General Roy Cooper to assert his explicit legal authority to enforce the corporate charter of Duke Energy, saying an investigation of the corporation’s North Carolina operations is required due to its history of criminality – from partnering with Enron to coal ash failures – and a rapidly advancing climate crisis that could see sea levels rise 10 feet by mid-century.
See coverage in the Los Angeles Times, Charlotte Observer and others.