Watch our 30-second ad, then take action below.
“We’re still going wildly in the wrong direction, but we can turn that around very, very quickly [by cutting methane emissions].”
— Dr. Drew Shindell, Duke University, lead author of a landmark United Nations report on methane
FIRST: Add your voice by editing the email message to the left. (Having trouble with the email form? Email the Governor directly at contactgov@nc.gov.)
Better yet, call the governor’s office at (984) 464-4559 and tweet @NC_Governor @RoyCooperNC. Learn more.
SECOND: Urge 5 friends to take this quick action today.
THIRD: Support this campaign with a tax-deductible contribution.
“Cutting methane is the strongest lever we have to slow climate change over the next 25 years.”
— The United Nations’ Inger Andersen, announcing a May 2021 UN study on methane
This is a crucial time:
- As governor, Cooper has broad authority under the N.C. Emergency Management Act to take proactive measures to help stem the impacts of climate disasters instead of responding to one disaster after another.
- Leading scientists and 80 organizations have already called on Cooper to use this authority.
- Nearly 2,030 local and national governments have formally declared climate emergencies, but no U.S. states so far.
- NC communities are already being devastated by repeated climate disasters that are growing worse. Global climate change is accelerating and an unparalleled threat to life on Earth.
- World scientists insist that new “natural” gas projects clash with global agreements to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Methane emissions from gas operations are a major part of global heating.
- Cooper’s climate emergency declaration could stop construction of gas-fired power generation facilities, pipelines and the gas storage facility in Robeson County.
But Duke Energy is building 50 new gas units instead of cheaper clean energy:
- Duke Energy is the worst climate offender among U.S. electricity providers and plans to add 50 new fracked gas-burning power units.
- This would constantly raise power bills – even though Duke Energy has dozens of gas units that aren’t even being used!
- In a recent deal, Cooper provided cover to Duke Energy to continue its gas expansion.
- Technology and economics strongly favor the steady replacement of coal- and gas-fired electricity with renewable power + storage.
- Despite all its greenwashing, Duke gets only 5% of its electricity from renewables in the Carolinas and plans just 14% in 2035 – while the national average is nearly 20% already.
- States and utilities choosing renewables + storage projects over new gas plants are creating jobs while avoiding the health and explosion risks of natural gas.
- President Biden and the European Union have invited other nations to sign on to their pledge to cut methane emissions 30% by 2030.
- Dr. Drew Shindell of Duke University, lead author of the May 2021 UN report on methane, told CNN that the US/EU methane pledge represents “a huge reversal, it’s a U-turn. If they pull this off, this could be huge.”
- But public voices must press Governor Cooper to recognize this historic opportunity and to play his part by speeding the end of Duke Energy leaders’ recklessness.
- Very few news outlets are informing the public about the methane-climate-utility connection.
- That’s why NC WARN must use nonprofit money to run ads that tell the public: The science clearly shows that we simply MUST stop Duke Energy’s massive gas expansion!
- Please do your part by taking the actions outlined above. Thank you!