Duke Energy is attempting to win major concessions from North Carolina lawmakers on an energy bill that would fundamentally change the state’s regulatory landscape, setting up a potential veto showdown with Governor Roy Cooper, and a battle with some of the state’s largest employers.
Duke/Kochs' Control of Government
Duke Energy and others in the energy industry consistently use deceptive public relations – and millions of customer dollars – to distort the debate over important decisions. Duke’s control over NC state government is significant. We must face this “inconvenient truth” in order to make the shift to clean, safe energy. This corporate influence has, in the words of Dr. James Hansen, wounded our democracy.
Particularly egregious are efforts by Duke, the Koch brothers and other industry powers to slow the growth of solar energy and, in North Carolina, to prevent competition from third-party providers of no-upfront-cost solar deals that put solar energy within reach of many more homeowners and businesses. Another good example of corporate power is the passage in some states of Construction Work in Progress laws that allow utilities to charge customers in advance for building expensive new plants that aren’t even needed.
In 2015, Duke Energy, the Koch Brothers and others successfully kept the Energy Freedom bill bottled up in committee at the NC legislature. The bill would have opened up NC to third-party solar deals. Read about our 2015 Duke Hates Solar campaign in support of the bill.
Read about our Solar Freedom project at Faith Community Church in Greensboro — a test case in the state’s ban on third-party sales of electricity.
Direct Appeals for Dialogue with Duke Energy
NC WARN has repeatedly reached out to Duke Energy executives, seeking to collaborate with them on moving away from obstructionism and toward a clean energy future. A few examples are listed here.
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State regulators: More info needed to approve Duke Energy’s natural gas, other construction plans — WRAL
State regulators will take a closer look at Duke Energy’s long-term energy plans, they said Tuesday, delaying required approvals on keystone documents. The North Carolina Utilities Commission’s announcement comes after regulators in South Carolina this month rejected Duke’s plans in that state, adding more uncertainty to energy giant’s future construction plans.
Opposition to multiyear rates challenges ‘broad support’ for Duke Energy-backed regulatory reform — Charlotte Business Journal
Opposition to multiyear rate hikes rose to the forefront of objections from manufacturers, environmental and public interest groups who are speaking out against a sweeping reform of utility regulations pending before the N.C. General Assembly.
NC energy bill has one big beneficiary (and it’s not you) — News & Observer/Charlotte Observer
North Carolina House Republican lawmakers and Duke Energy’s representatives spent months in closed-door meetings hammering out an energy bill that somehow emerged, politically speaking, without any energy. Despite efforts to build up suspense about House Bill 951, the measure landed with a thud last week.
Once on the fast track, super-secret energy bill derailed over costs, nukes, and unproven claims — NC Policy Watch
By Lisa Sorg Rep. John Szoka says House Bill 951 “is not perfect.” That, opponents say, is an understatement. For the past five months, the workings of a top secret energy group was so hush-hush that if someone was caught leaking information they would be expelled as an outcast and …
Major Gift to Duke Energy Introduced in the NC Legislature — Statement from NC WARN
By supporting Duke Energy’s plans to build fossil fuel power plants, H951 clashes wildly with climate science and economics. Just weeks ago, Duke University’s Drew Shindell was lead author of an unprecedented United Nations-backed methane report calling for a halt to the expansion of gas infrastructure
Major NC energy bill comes down hard on the side of Duke Energy’s regulatory preferences — Charlotte Business Journal
Duke Energy Corp. would achieve many of its most-sought regulatory reforms, including multiyear rate plans and performance incentives that could increase its revenue, under legislation proposed Tuesday in the N.C. General Assembly.
After months of secret talks, sweeping energy bill unveiled in North Carolina — Energy News Network
By Elizabeth Ouzts The 47-page bill would close Duke Energy coal plants but require new gas-fired ones, drawing quick opposition from clean energy advocates. The Republican author said he is “guardedly optimistic” ahead of a committee discussion Thursday. After months of secret negotiations between Duke Energy, House Republican leaders, …
Pressure Builds Against Duke Energy Solar Scheme — News Release from NC WARN
NC WARN said today that 23 other nonprofit organizations are backing its challenge to a pending Duke Energy proposal they say would limit rooftop solar to the affluent, stifle the growing solar market and amplify the global climate crisis.
Duke Energy Seeks to Undermine Solar Growth in NC – Yet Again — News Release from NC WARN
NC WARN, allies to challenge deal they say would limit rooftop solar to the affluent and lock in constant rate hikes for a massive expansion of climate-busting gas-fired power.