The NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) surprised observers by issuing its updated biennial Carbon Plan / Integrated Resource Plan (CPIRP) less than a week before election day. The plan was released two months before its due date, and at a time when attention from the public and policymakers alike was focused on who would be chosen to lead the nation and state for the next four years.

The Outcome

Intervenors in the case and other interested citizen advocacy groups mobilized to review and release comments on the new plan. Overall, climate action and environmental groups expressed disappointment with the new CPIRP’s approval of Duke Energy’s proposed massive buildout of fossil gas infrastructure (including expanded pipelines and new gas-fired power plants).

“The NC League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) expresses its profound disappointment at the decision issued by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) on the biennial Carbon Plan / Integrated Resource Plan (CPIRP). In addition to our concerns about the content of the decision itself, we believe the timing of this intentionally coincides with the 2024 election and is meant to obscure the public’s knowledge of these plans for our energy future,” said Michelle “Meech” Carter, NCLCV clean energy campaigns director. 

Fossil Fuel Infrastructure

“One of the most notable commitments in this Carbon Plan is the extensive build-out of methane gas infrastructure. The Commission has now greenlighted seven gas plants throughout the Carolinas, exposing ratepayers to hundreds of millions of dollars in excess costs. North Carolina now faces one of the largest gas build-outs in the United States. Residents are at risk of a minimum average increase of $80 per month on their electric bills over the next 15 years,” Carter noted. “With this decision, the NCUC has cemented its reputation as a submissive body to Duke Energy’s wishes. Seven (of nine) Commissioners have decided that North Carolinians will pay hundreds of millions of dollars to support Duke Energy’s build-out of fossil fuel infrastructure.” 

“While this commitment to fossil fuels is a major setback for North Carolina’s climate progress, we are hopeful that renewable energy will continue to be deployed aggressively,” Carter added. “We are thankful the Commission has directed Duke to develop more wind, solar, and battery storage to improve our electric grid’s reliability.” 

Reactions to Carbon Plan

Other concerned citizen climate action, clean energy, and environmental organizations shared similar reactions. The NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) released a statement commenting, “There’s a lot to celebrate in this order, including significant additions of solar, battery storage, and onshore wind, which reflects the value these resources bring to ratepayers across the state from a cost-savings and reliability perspective. However, on the other end, it’s concerning to see a movement away from the intention of House Bill 951 to achieve 70% carbon emissions reductions in the electricity sector by 2030. This order leaves the door open for Duke Energy to stall on carbon compliance in order to develop additional resources, like natural gas, that largely benefit their shareholders over ratepayers.” 

Southeastern Wind Coalition president Katherine Kollins stated, “This Carbon Plan order is an important milestone for offshore wind in North Carolina; both Duke and the Commission have recognized that it is a predictable, reliable, and cost-effective resource that will play an important role in the state’s energy future. We know that North Carolina needs utility-scale generation that can address increasing energy demand and carbon reduction goals in a reliable and affordable manner. Offshore wind can do exactly that, and we need to see continued commitment from the State to ensure that this industry has a clear pathway to market.” 

“[NCUC]’s ruling allowing Duke to disregard the urgency of the current climate crisis by letting the for-profit monopoly utility miss the important milestone of 70% carbon reduction by 2030 is unacceptable,” said Jake Duncan, Southeast Regulatory Director, Vote Solar. “While the order does call for important new utility-scale solar, batteries and wind resources, by allowing Duke to delay coal retirement and build four new methane gas plants the NCUC missed a pivotal opportunity to move away from a fossil fuel centered energy system to a resilient and distributed clean energy future that prioritizes people over profits.”