A climate scientist at Duke University, in a letter backed by two dozen former officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, called Thursday for a halt to natural gas development in North Carolina.
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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Experts’ Letter Asks Gov. To Halt Construction Of New Gas Plants And Pipelines — WFAE
A Duke University climate scientist and 27 former federal environmental officials are calling on Gov. Roy Cooper to order a halt on building new gas pipelines and power plants in North Carolina.
Duke climatologist seeks a halt on gas-fired power plants, Atlantic Coast Pipeline — News & Observer
One of the world’s leading climate scientists said the state’s long-range clean energy plan doesn’t go far enough to curb a potent greenhouse gas. In a letter to Gov. Roy Cooper dated Thursday, Drew Shindell, Nicholas Professor of Earth Science at Duke University, takes aim at methane, a gas more efficient than carbon dioxide at holding heat.
Top Climate Expert Says Stop Utility Gas Expansions — News Release From NC WARN
Leading Climate-Methane Expert Calls for Halt to Expansion of Natural Gas for Electricity across the United States. NC governor, other U.S. leaders urged to issue moratorium on new pipelines, power plants by Duke Energy and other major utilities.
See articles by News & Observer, WRAL, WFAE
Cooper rolls out climate plan; protesters call it ‘sham’ — WRAL
While Cooper spoke with members of the council at the beginning of Friday’s meeting at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, protestors interrupted him, shouting “act, act, act” and holding up signs accusing him of “climate hypocrisy.”
Duke Energy Shamelessly Deceiving Media, Public with New “Climate Strategy” — News Release from NC WARN
The new 15-year plan shows Duke plans to be only 9% renewable in the Carolinas by 2034, making the monopoly corporation a nationally-leading laggard even as many states and utilities are quickly shifting from natural gas to cheaper, renewable energy paired with battery storage.
WITHDRAW PERMIT — Letter to the Editor of News & Observer
NC WARN stands by our allies charging that Duke Energy and Dominion cut corners so much in planning the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, the state water permit must be withdrawn.
New Evidence: Duke’s gas expansion is making global warming worse — European Geosciences Union
As methane concentrations increase in the Earth’s atmosphere, chemical fingerprints point to a probable source: shale oil and gas, according to new Cornell University research published today in Biogeosciences, a journal of the European Geosciences Union.
Environmental activists seek reversal of NC permit for Atlantic Coast Pipeline — WRAL
Environmental activists called on Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration to reconsider a key permit issued for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The North Carolina Climate Solutions Coalition and Friends of the Earth filed a petition to revoke the permit issued last year under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
Duke CEO put on notice: Gas expansion carries extreme financial, climate risks — Letter from NC WARN
This letter from NC WARN to Duke Energy provides new, hopeful and vitally important background about surging energy storage, the demise of fracked gas, and impacts on the climate crisis. Eight pieces of evidence – summarized after the short letter. Note Forbes Magazine citing Duke Energy as a high-risk laggard.