The company has requested that the North Carolina Utilities Commission postpone a hearing on the proposed plant from Jan. 24 to late spring. The filing notes that “the University’s administration has indicated that it needs more time to work with University stakeholders regarding the role of the CHP [combined heat and power plant] in the broader context of the University’s sustainability goals.”
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.
Jump to a Subcategory
All News Categories
Duke Energy’s Natural Gas Plant on Duke University’s Campus Is On Hold — INDY Week
While the news marks a victory for those who have been outspoken against a “fracked gas” plant existing on a progressive university campus, NC WARN executive director Jim Warren was only cautiously optimistic about the project’s latest turn.
Duke Energy requests delay on power plant at Duke University — The Daily Tarheel
Duke Energy’s plan to put a plant at Duke University might be powering down—at least for a little while.
The energy company is seeking a delay until early summer for its proposal to put a 21-megawatt combined heating and power plant at Duke University after pushback from the public. Duke Energy said the plant will reduce its carbon footprint and provide additional backup power in case of a power emergency.
Duke Energy seeks delay for controversial Duke University plant – Charlotte Business Journal
The Durham advocacy group NC WARN, a consistent critic of Duke Energy proposals for new plant construction, has been in the thick of the battle over the campus plant. While the university has not withdrawn from the project, NC WARN Executive Director Jim Warren, sees the delay as a victory.
See more articles on this here.
Duke University’s natural gas-fired combined heat and power plant – not so fast — Durham Herald-Sun
Op-ed by Kelly Garvy. Earlier this year, Duke University unveiled its proposal to build a $55 million, 21-megawatt, natural gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant on its campus, to be owned and operated by Duke Energy. This plant has significant implications for Duke Energy ratepayers and citizens of North Carolina on everything from monthly utility bills to public health to climate action.
Duke should reject fracked gas plant — The News & Observer
Letter to the Editor by Connie Leeper. NC WARN urges Duke University President Richard Brodhead to take assertive action to avert the accelerating climate crisis. Instead of helping Duke Energy advance a national scheme to expand the burning of fracked gas on campuses, he should join the leading universities that are adopting clean energy innovations.
Duke University plant would turn away from renewable energy – The News & Observer
Op-Ed By William H. Schlesinger Renewable energy is the way; not skirting under the bar of EPA regulations with an array of small power plants that maintain the old ways of doing business. Setting an example for others, a solar-powered campus would light the way for bright young minds of the next generation.
Group opposes Duke Energy plans to burn natural gas in Cliffside coal plant — Charlotte Business Journal
Advocacy group NC WARN wants state regulators to hold hearings on Duke Energy’s $56 million plan to upgrade its Cliffside coal units to burn natural gas. NC WARN contends that upgrading Duke Energy’s two Cliffside coal units at the Rogers Energy Complex would be needlessly expensive and environmentally unsound.
Plans for NC pipeline draw protests – News & Observer
On Saturday, a newly formed group of residents and environmentalists known as the Alliance to Stop the Pipeline held marches in Cumberland, Nash and Robeson counties to protest the project and raise awareness about it across the state. Members are asking residents to oppose the project by signing an online petition and contacting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is reviewing the pipeline plans.
Duke Energy Seeks $$$ Sanction Against its Critics — News Release from NC WARN
In a case with sweeping environmental and legal ramifications, attorneys for NC WARN and The Climate Times responded yesterday to Duke Energy’s request for financial sanctions against us for attempting to appeal the fast-track regulatory approval of a $1 billion fracked gas-burning power plant.