By John Downey NC WARN has filed an ethics complaint against Sen. Dan Blue, D-Wake, contending there is a conflict of interest between his sponsorship of legislation about utility regulation and his law firm’s work for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The complaint, filed Wednesday morning with the N.C. Ethics Commission, raises …
Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Duke Energy and Dominion Resources want to build this 550-mile pipeline to bring natural gas from fracking fields in West Virginia and Pennsylvania to power plants in North Carolina. The project is part of a major shift to make gas “the backbone” of Duke Energy’s future, according to Duke CEO Lynn Good. NC WARN is part of the Alliance to Stop the Pipeline, which includes groups in both North Carolina and Virginia. Learn more here.
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Complaint filed over Wake lawmaker’s Duke Energy bill, his law firm’s pipeline work — WRAL
A climate change group known for taking on Duke Energy filed an ethics complaint against Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue on Wednesday, suggesting that his support of key legislation for the company is tied to work his family law firm does for the Duke’s planned natural gas pipeline.
Democrat Dan Blue should address his conflict of interest with Duke Energy — News & Observer
[NC WARN] says Blue, a Wake County Democrat and the Senate minority leader, has a glaring conflict of interest. He is the lead sponsor of legislation, Senate Bill 559, that would change the state’s utility commission’s rate-setting structure even as Blue’s law firm — which includes his two sons — is representing a holding company tied to Duke Energy in eminent domain cases related to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
Group files ethics complaint against state Sen. Dan Blue, a Raleigh Democrat — The Associated Press
A clean-energy advocacy group wants an investigation into whether a longtime North Carolina legislator violated ethics laws by pushing legislation sought by Duke Energy Corp. while his law firm did legal work for a gas pipeline project.
NC Democrat faces ethics complaint over work for Duke Energy, Atlantic Coast Pipeline — News & Observer
The top Democrat in the North Carolina Senate is facing accusations that Duke Energy is paying him as he helps advance the utility company’s legislative agenda.
Ongoing Ethics Violations Cited against NC Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue — News Release from NC WARN
A watchdog group today filed a lengthy complaint with the NC Ethics Commission outlining what they say is an improper arrangement between Duke Energy and Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue.
Visual Timeline: When Did Dealmaking Begin?
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Critics challenge Duke Energy’s long-range plan. Will it make a difference this time? — Energy News Network
Every two years, critics blast Duke Energy’s long-term generation plan in North Carolina, decrying it for containing too much coal and gas and too little renewable power. Each time, regulators approve the company’s blueprint with few if any changes.
N.C. Needs Energy Choice, Not Monopoly Control — Goldsboro Daily News
Op-Ed by Bobby Jones and Ayo Wilson. North Carolina’s electricity system is broken, and the only way to fix it is to end Duke Energy’s state-approved monopoly control. Based in Charlotte, Duke provides 90% of our state’s electricity. For too long, its executives have abused their monopoly privilege and the people of North Carolina have paid the price.
North Carolina groups call for end to utility monopoly, 100% renewable energy — PV MAGAZINE
Their petition calls on elected officials to transition the state to 100% renewables; end Duke Energy’s monopoly on generation; refuse to accept campaign contributions from the utility; and appoint citizen-oriented utility commissioners.
Pipeline hits new setbacks — Rocky Mount Telegram
“This project is $3 billion over budget yet construction had barely begun when it’s been halted for many months,” Warren said. “My guess: 30 percent chance it’ll ever be completed.”