NCLCV Statement on the North Carolina Utilities Commission’s Order on Duke Energy’s Expensive Carbon Plan
Raleigh, N.C. –Today, the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) issued the following statement from Michelle “Meech” Carter, clean energy campaigns director:
“The North Carolina League of Conservation Voters 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.
“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.
“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. We are thankful the Commission has directed Duke to develop more wind, solar, and battery storage to improve our electric grid’s reliability.
“However, with this decision, the NCUC has cemented its reputation as a submissive body to Duke Energy’s wishes. Seven Commissioners have decided that North Carolinians will pay hundreds of millions of dollars to support Duke Energy’s build-out of fossil fuel infrastructure.
“In addition to capturing our regulatory bodies, Duke Energy is actively working against our laws to further its financial agenda. Duke supported the mandates within House Bill 951 that created the Carbon Plan process two years ago, yet Duke now claims these same legislative deadlines are impossible to meet.
“As an organization that supports accountability at all levels of government, we call upon the Utilities Commission to reform their approach to all future Carbon Plan IRP processes. North Carolina’s ratepayers deserve better.”
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