Duke Energy’s Failure To Involve Impacted Communities
Wanted: Concerned citizens ready to stand up for your neighbors in telling Duke Energy that it must address impacts from its projects on frontline communities.
Duke Energy has been told by the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) that it has to do a better job of involving impacted communities in considering and addressing the environmental and health effects of its projects. Relevant projects can include anything from building a new electricity transmission substation to opening, closing, or modifying a power plant.
This environmental justice effort is being required as a part of implementing North Carolina’s new law providing for “carbon-neutrality” for its electricity generation sector by 2050. Duke’s first annual update of its Carbon Plan is due to be submitted to the NCUC by August 17.
As a part of this state-ordered work to address the environmental justice issues of its activities, Duke Energy is supposed to set up Environmental Justice Advisory Councils to advise it on outreach to impacted communities. Duke plans to create councils in each of its 14 regional districts across its North Carolina service areas. Duke’s Government and Community Relations District Managers will be responsible for setting up and working with the Advisory Council in her/his district.
Thus far, Duke’s statewide Environmental Justice Advisory Council and its local efforts have involved community members on an invitation-only basis. NC League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) Policy and Enforcement Director Robin Smith is encouraging community-based environmental justice advocates to contact the Duke Energy District Manager responsible for their county, and volunteer to participate in that district’s advisory council.
Want to support environmental justice accommodations for frontline communities impacted by Duke Energy projects in your region? Contact the District Manager responsible for your county and volunteer. Check this chart for the manager whose district includes your North Carolina county.
In addition, please advise NCLCV’s Robin Smith at robin@nclcv.org if you have contacted a Duke Energy District Manager on this matter. Please include your name, county, contact information, the name of the manager you contacted, and the date of the contact. This will help NCLCV track citizen involvement and follow up in support.
