State ethics investigators are moving forward on a complaint by NC WARN alleging an improper relationship between Duke Energy and Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue. The 2019 complaint says Blue was lead promoter of hotly contested – and ultimately failed – legislation sought by Duke Energy while his family law firm was suing 32 landowners to make way for the proposed Atlantic Coast fracked gas Pipeline.
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, even as utilities and the gas industry are 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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NEW REPORT: Former Energy Exec Warns Dominion, Duke Investors to Abandon High-risk Gas Pipeline — News Release from Friends of the Earth and NC WARN
An analysis by former energy executive Thomas Hadwin released today shows that rapidly changing energy markets, new legislation in Virginia, a surplus of gas across the region, and climate impacts of fracked gas are among the reasons Dominion Energy and Duke Energy should stop trying to build the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP).
Greenhouse emissions from gas higher than industry estimates — IEEFA Podcast
If only 3% of gas produced is leaked, gas is worse for the climate than coal. Yet it’s more than 3%. BP says it’s 3.2%. And a recent study of the Permian Basin found that 3.7% was lost in the production process. What’s this telling us? This is the gas industry’s ‘Volkswagen’ moment.
Keystone XL Ruling Has ‘Sweeping’ Impacts for Other Projects — Bloomberg
A federal court’s decision striking down a critical Keystone XL permit has broad implications beyond the embattled oil pipeline.
Methane Levels Reach an All-Time High — Scientific American
New NOAA analysis highlights an alarming trend; experts call for curbing pollution from oil and gas wells. A preliminary estimate from NOAA finds that levels of atmospheric methane, a potent heat-trapping gas, have hit an all-time high.
As the cost of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline soars, renewable energy is the better option for NC — News & Observer
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is a long way from being constructed, but it’s already proving a leaky conduit for cash.
Duke, Dominion, Southern won’t hit clean energy targets at current pace — Utility Dive
Duke Energy, Dominion Energy and Southern Company are not making investments consistent with their clean energy goals, according to a report released Monday from Synapse Energy Economics.
More Science Shows Duke Energy’s Huge Fracked Gas Expansion is Disastrous for Climate — News Release from NC WARN
A new study published in the British journal Nature has dramatically boosted earlier evidence that the accelerated use of “natural” gas by U.S. electricity corporations is a key driver of the climate crisis that has belatedly gripped the public’s attention.
Duke Energy Grid Scheme and Stealth Construction of Gas-fired Power Units Challenged in Rate Case — News Release from NC WARN
A prominent energy engineer [Bill Powers] is contesting Duke Energy Carolinas’ request for billions of dollars in rate increases, showing in written testimony that the corporation is trying to pad investors’ pockets through pre-approval of grid projects that are either unneeded or could be better handled with solar-plus-storage investments.
Federal Complaint Filed vs WUNC Radio Over Duke Energy Ads — News Release from NC WARN
Watchdog group NC WARN today is filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) charging that public radio station WUNC repeatedly airs sponsorship announcements by Duke Energy that violate rules for noncommercial stations. We are calling for the federal regulators to end the deceptive ads and require full disclosure of Duke Energy’s spending with the station.
See coverage of our complaint in Facing South