Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good recently promised investors they could count on “multiple rate cases” in both of the corporation’s Carolinas service areas beginning next year – to fund seemingly endless construction of fracked gas power plants and clean-up of coal ash. Separately, she promised to boost rates and profits via a $16 billion electric “grid modernization” scheme that an expert for the NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) testified could, on its own, raise residential rates by up to 50 percent.
Duke Energy & State Regulators
NC WARN regularly challenges Duke Energy to make a rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and energy efficiency. We intervene at the NC Utilities Commission in cases involving Duke’s rate increases and 15-year Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs). And we have repeatedly reached out directly to the corporation’s executives, seeking to collaborate with them on finding ways to avert climate catastrophe. A few examples are listed here.
Related:
- Check out the new coalition: Energy Justice NC: End the Duke Monopoly
- Duke Energy page on Energy & Policy Institute website
Jump to a Subcategory
All News Categories
More Groups Blast Duke Energy’s Last-Minute Rate Deal — News Release from NC WARN
Duke Energy’s proposed side deal at the 11th hour of an already controversial rate case continues drawing opposition from consumer watchdogs, industrial customers, tech giants and environmental groups. It appears the vaguely worded deal could bring an initial rate hike of 26 percent over the first three years – while becoming a perpetual tax on customers.
NC WARN Joins Groups Fighting 11th Hour Rate Hike Deal — News Release from NC WARN
Today NC WARN filed a motion calling for the NC Utilities Commission to reject a secretive, last minute settlement between Duke Energy and several organizations that would open the floodgates for huge, streamlined rate hikes with no guarantee of benefit to anyone other than corporate stockholders.
See coverage in Greensboro News & Record
Duke Energy reaches compromise on grid modernization — Greensboro News & Record
The utility that serves the Triad, Charlotte, Durham and much of North Carolina’s western area struck the $2.5 billion proposed deal with several environmental groups and the Commercial Group, a coalition of major retailers, including Walmart and Food Lion. *Please see paragraph in bold*
Atlantic Coast Pipeline Faces Civil Rights Complaint After Key Permit Is Blocked — Inside Climate News
Opponents of the gas pipeline say state and federal agencies failed to assess the health impacts the project would have on minorities, as required under federal law.
How Solar Panels on a Church Rooftop Broke the Law in N.C. — Inside Climate News
An environmental group and a largely African-American church tried to challenge North Carolina’s utility monopoly by generating cheap, clean power. They lost.
SC utilities gripe about subsidies. What part of ‘monopoly’ don’t they understand? — The State
As the energy policy frenzy of this legislative session winds down, two terms need a bit more attention: regulated monopoly and subsidy. There is much confusion about the implications of both, but they are fundamental to energy regulation.
Wrangling continues over N.C. law meant to settle solar disputes with Duke Energy–Charlotte Business Journal
Eight months after legislators finally adopted a long fought-over compromise to set out the future of solar and other renewables in North Carolina, it appears alternative energy partisans may get less than they bargained for.
“Competitive Energy” Bill Falls Short of North Carolina’s Needs – News Release from Faith in Solar
An alliance of diverse North Carolina faith leaders today questions Duke Energy and the NC General Assembly for having placed strict limits on solar energy development at precisely the time that dramatic clean energy progress is needed to address the climate crisis. Telling the unvarnished truth about the effect of last year’s energy bill on solar progress in our state, they call for strong and decisive action.
Duke Energy Profiting from Failure at Customers’ Expense – as Investments in Influence Money Pay Off Again — News Release from NC WARN
Shameful as it is that the NC Utilities Commission last month ordered customers to pay hundreds of millions for Duke Energy’s coal ash negligence in the Duke-Progress rate case…what’s even more shameful is that the Commission granted Duke a 10 percent mark-up on coal ash in the Progress case and that Duke’s seeking the same for coal ash and the nuclear boondoggle in the Carolinas case.