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.
Duke Energy Gas Expansion
Duke Energy is planning a massive increase in its burning of natural gas to produce electricity. This would be a climate disaster because of the large amounts of super-potent methane that leak unburned from gas operations, particularly fracking. Read more here and in the news items below about NC WARN’s work to block Duke’s fracking gas future.
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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).
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
Is Natural Gas Really Helping the U.S. Cut Emissions? — Inside Climate News
Can natural gas be part of a climate change solution? That’s what the American Petroleum Institute argues in a new campaign it has launched ahead of this year’s elections, pushing back against some Democratic candidates who support bans on new development of oil and gas.