Each year, Duke Energy charges North Carolina ratepayers for money poured onto groups representing both major political parties at the federal and state levels, according to documents obtained by NC WARN during the discovery phase of Duke’s current rate hike request. Second installment of our Burning the Public series.
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NC WARN Highlights: The First 15 Years
Burning the Public: Duke Energy’s Rate Secrets – Part 1 — News Release from NC WARN
Duke Energy’s Serial Rate Hikes
Are you ready for the clean energy future? Are you sick of the utilities dragging their feet on the way there — and making us pay for their detour? Learn about our Duke Energy rate hike campaign.
Read more in our Burning the Public series.
Examining the feasibility of converting New York State’s all-purpose energy infrastructure to one using wind, water, and sunlight — Energy Policy
Calling on Jim Rogers to be a Climate Hero
On May 1, we ran a full-page ad in the Charlotte Observer, together with Greenpeace, urging Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers to be a climate leader by acting decisively to slow climate change. Read what the Charlotte Observer wrote about our ad and Rogers’ response. At the same time, Greenpeace Executive Director Phil Radford and NC WARN Executive Director Jim Warren sent a letter to Rogers, calling on him to walk his talk on climate change.
Public, officials debate Duke Energy rate hike — McDowell News
Wednesday evening, the Utilities Commission held its hearing in Marion at the courthouse. Local officials, average McDowell County residents and people from other cities and counties all signed up to speak about Duke’s requested rate hike. Most of them spoke strongly against it. Mayor Steve Little said he wanted to voice his “strongest possible objection” to the rate hike. “A request for an increase of the size that we see is unconscionable,” said Little. “It is simply not reasonable. It is not fair. We are not one of the big guys. We are not rich but we get hammered.”
Public speaks out against Duke rate increase at hearing — Macon County News
On Tuesday, the public had its chance to voice any opposition they had towards Duke Energy and their proposed rate hikes. Duke Energy has proposed a 9.7 percent increase in its electric rates. The North Carolina Utilities Commission is holding hearings across the state to allow the public to have their say. Franklin was the site of one of these hearings — the only one west of Asheville — and people filled the courtroom designated for the hearing at the Macon County Court House Tuesday night.
Reactor Crack at Shearon Harris Raises Questions — News Advisory
At a public meeting this evening, NC WARN will seek clarification on a number of questions regarding revelations that Duke Energy’s Harris nuclear plant operated for over a year with a quarter-inch crack in the reactor vessel head. Here are four good TV news stories on the May 15 shutdown of the Shearon Harris nuclear power plant:
Harris plant neighbors seek answers over nuclear shutdown (WNCT)
Wake County nuclear plant shut down (WTVD)
‘Flaw’ forces shutdown of Harris nuclear plant (WNCN)
Crack forces shutdown of nuclear reactor at Shearon Harris (WRAL)
UPDATE June 13: NRC still seeking why spot missed at Shearon Harris plant (AP)