If it [the Energy Freedom Act] becomes law, it would legalize the solar partnership between NC WARN and the Greensboro church without the need for commission approval of the local plan, which is aimed at trailblazing a method of financing that could make solar-energy system affordable for more people.
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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Greensboro church installs solar panels, challenges Duke on selling electricity — News & Record
Faith Community Church and the advocacy group NC WARN unveiled a partnership in which the Durham-based nonprofit has installed solar panels on the African American congregation’s rooftop to produce electricity for sale to the church.
Will Duke Energy Kill NC’s Solar Industry? — NC WARN TV ad
Watch our 2015 TV ad urging viewers to press for competition in the NC electricity market.
Utilities wage campaign against rooftop solar — The Washington Post
Three years ago, the nation’s top utility executives gathered at a Colorado resort to hear warnings about a grave new threat to operators of America’s electric grid: not superstorms or cyberattacks, but rooftop solar panels.
Solar power and competition are good for all customers — Winston Salem Journal
Op-Ed by Rev. Nelson Johnson and Jim Warren. It is curious that Duke Energy is aggressively lobbying against the new Energy Freedom Act, bipartisan state legislation that would open the door to rooftop solar competition, thereby helping the same low-wealth communities for which Duke now professes concern.
Ministers’ Conference, Elected Leaders Support Solar Competition Bill and Local Solarize Program — News Release from Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem & Vicinity
State elected officials and a diverse Ministers’ Conference today announced their support for state legislation that would expand rooftop solar power to more customers across the economic spectrum while boosting investment and jobs across North Carolina.
Duke Energy called out for targeting black community with ‘cynical’ anti-solar campaign — Facing South
A North Carolina minister and an environmental watchdog have sent a letter to Duke Energy President and CEO Lynn Good, criticizing the utility giant for targeting African-American community leaders as part of its campaign against rooftop solar.
Pastor to Duke Energy CEO: Stop Targeting African-Americans with Your Anti-Solar Campaign
Letter to Duke’s Good cites curious visits by those pushing “Solar Hurts the Poor” message.
NC WARN news release
See the letter to Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good
Op-Ed by Rev. Nelson Johnson and Jim Warren – Winston Salem Journal
Facing South article on the letter
“Desperate Fossil Fuel Interests Seek to Undermine Clean Energy Choices in Communities of Color” — Huffington Post
Republicans push to expand solar power in NC — News & Observer
A Republican push to expand solar power in North Carolina may stand the best chance yet of ending a state ban that prevents independent energy developers from selling electricity directly to homeowners and businesses.
Poll Shows Huge Bipartisan Support for Solar Power & Competition in NC — News Release from NC WARN
For the second time in recent weeks, voters across North Carolina’s political spectrum have signaled overwhelming support for solar power and the right to competition instead of remaining captive to Duke Energy’s monopoly.