Even as Duke Energy seeks to hobble rooftop solar in North Carolina, science is pouring in showing how disastrous and outdated Duke’s preferred fuel is. With methane emissions breaking all records, climate scientists insist cutting the venting of the highly potent climate pollutant would be the fastest – and likely the only – chance to avert total chaos.
Methane, Fracked Gas & Climate
Methane (the main component in natural gas) is 100 times as bad for the climate as carbon dioxide over the short term. Less CO2 is emitted by natural gas than by coal when burned. But significant leakage of methane before burning makes gas a disaster for the climate, as revealed even more by recent science. Yet utilities and the gas industry are still feverishly promoting fracked gas.
NC WARN is working hard to connect the dots between climate change, methane leakage and the fracking boom that is driven by demand from the electric power industry.
Learn more about our methane work here.
Watch a 3-minute video by Cornell University’s Dr. Robert Howarth describing why natural gas is a disastrous strategy for the climate. More videos, PowerPoints and documentation here.
“Everything You Need to Know About Methane”, a primer by Earthjustice.
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Unused and useless: States must act to end flawed natural gas power plant buildouts — Utility Dive
Nothing exemplifies the irrational utility business model more than the billions of dollars companies have wasted on the massive buildout of natural gas capacity over the last decade, ignoring obvious market trends favoring renewables and energy storage.
NC WARN Climate Emergency Rally!
On November 19th, 2021 NC WARN and our allies rallied outside of Gov. Roy Cooper’s mansion urging him to: Declare a climate emergency! Stop Duke Energy’s fracked gas expansion! Uplift low-income and BIPOC communities being affected the most by superstorms and high electric bills! Side with the people of North Carolina, not Duke Energy!
Groups rally outside Executive Mansion call for climate emergency declaration – CBS 17
Multiple groups with the same cause converged outside the Executive Mansion Friday to urge Gov. Roy Cooper to declare a climate emergency and stop Duke Energy from building 50 gas-burning power units.
Environmental groups call on Gov. Cooper to declare climate emergency in NC — News & Observer
A coalition of 17 energy advocacy groups gathered Friday near North Carolina’s Executive Mansion to call on Gov. Roy Cooper to become the first U.S. governor to declare a climate emergency, a step they said could be used to prevent Duke Energy from building new natural gas plants.
See coverage by CBS 17
The revised N.C. energy bill is better, but it should do more to stem climate change — N&O/Charlotte Observer
On a major bill that will shape North Carolina’s energy future, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican legislative leaders have reached what’s being called a compromise. But if that’s what House Bill 951 is, it’s an odd one.
Bipartisan support for energy bill as some worry over costs, ‘ambiguities’ – WRAL
NC WARN, often the state’s most ardent environmental advocate, blasted the bill and the governor for supporting it, saying it “gives cover for the Charlotte-based corporate giant to continue its climate-wrecking expansion of gas-fired power plants.”
NC Governor Heeds Duke Energy Instead of Climate Science — News Release from NC WARN
Deal over controversial energy bill leaves Duke on track to keep building 50 gas-fired units despite pleas by world scientists, new revelations on methane.
Doomed: Duke Energy’s Massive Gas Expansion — News Release from NC WARN
President Biden joins scientists’ call to cut methane emissions as fastest way to slow the climate crisis … “could be huge” says top Duke University expert.
Will Utilities Commissioners OK Duke Energy’s 50 Fracked-gas Power Units? — News Release from NC WARN
Upcoming “technical conference” is poor substitute for making Duke Energy officials answer questions under oath.