Last week the Charlotte Observer published an interview in which Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers said he had resolved the major scandal following his acquisition of Progress Energy by personally negotiating the settlement with NC Utilities Commission Chairman Ed Finley. Today NC WARN called on state Attorney General Roy Cooper to investigate that negotiation, which we believe was an unlawful communication that led to a multi-billion dollar miscarriage of justice against North Carolina’s electricity customers.
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
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Group claims Duke Energy’s talks with state regulators were improper – Charlotte Observer
Consumer Alliance Warns of a Doubling of Electricity Rates under Duke Energy’s Business Plan – News Release from Consumers Against Rate Hikes
Economists say a proposed “annual rate hike bill” to fund new nuclear plants would be aninterest-free loan to Duke from ratepayers – without saving any money.
See the study
Duke Energy settlement may not lower customers’ power bills – WSOC-TV
Several energy watchdog groups told Eyewitness News a new settlement with Duke Energy will not help customers’ monthly power bills. Details of the settlement between Progress Energy and Duke Energy were released Thursday afternoon. If approved, it will end a months-long battle over their controversial merger.
Competing interests to spar over Progress rate request – The News & Observer
The number immediately jumped out to Jim Hoard: $9 million. That’s the amount Progress Energy expects to save within its first year of the merger with Duke Energy, according to the rate increase request Progress filed this month. The savings would come from streamlined operations and staff cuts that will eliminate 1,860 positions over three years.
Did Progress include $100s of millions in improper annual expenses in today’s rate hike request – as parent Duke Energy did in 2009 and 2011? – News Release from NC WARN
Progress Energy requests 14% rate increase for residential customers – The News & Observer
Progress Energy to seek first rate increase in a quarter century – The News & Observer
Has Duke Energy Been Cheating on Rate Hikes? – News Release from NC WARN
Controversial rate hikes by Duke Energy Carolinas in 2009 and 2011 revealed a pattern of activity apparently designed to overcharge North Carolina electricity customers millions of dollars annually, energy watchdog group NC WARN said today. The group said Duke is either deliberately attempting to gouge ratepayers or suffers gross incompetence across its legal and accounting departments. It urged Attorney General Roy Cooper to take action.
See NC WARN’s letter to Attorney General Cooper and Public Staff’s Robert Gruber
Duke Energy Plans 20 Years of Rate Hikes, Climate Destruction, Risky Nukes – and Almost No Solar, Wind and Energy Savings – News Release from NC WARN
As Duke Energy continues its six-year PR campaign touting CEO Jim Rogers’ concerns about climate change and North Carolina’s economic health, long-range plans filed this month with state regulators contradict his professions. The plans reflect serial rate hikes to pay for an aggressive expansion of generating plants, and high carbon emissions for the next two decades.