NC Needs a Carbon Plan for Our Future
In 2021, state lawmakers ordered the N.C. Utilities Commission to adopt a Carbon Plan that would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation to 70% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve “net zero” emissions by 2050. The first plan was released at the end of 2022, and it's updated every two years.
Duke Energy, the state's monopoly electricity provider, is now trying to get out of this commitment. The carbon plan it proposed in February 2024 doubles down on expensive methane gas expansion, instead of renewable energy sources that not only would provide stable pricing for consumers, but would also help protect our communities from air and water pollution.
Worst of all, in a surprise move months ahead of schedule, the N.C. Utilities Commission approved this plan, letting Duke Energy move ahead with profit over progress and shareholders over monopoly customers. The NCUC's ruling came late on Nov. 1, the Friday before Election Day, in a clear attempt to bury any opposition to its decision that allows Duke to fail to comply with the bipartisan-supported state law. It also will mean Duke Energy can follow a carbon plan that doesn't comply with the US Environmental Protection Agency's greenhouse gas rule.
What you can do now
Scroll down to sign up for our Carbon Plan mailing list to stay informed of upcoming public hearings, activist opportunities and other ways to hold Duke Energy, the NC Public Utilities Commission and the N.C. General Assembly accountable for providing a clean, affordable, reliable energy future for our environment and our communities.
NEWS:
- Duke’s small gains in SC scorecard threatened by surging electricity demand (Nov. 19): Duke Energy Carolinas & Progress saw a slight improvement in the Sierra Club's Dirty Truth report card this year, but its score could regress if the utility follows through on its short-sighted plans to add new gas-burning power plants and burn more coal.
- Big Polluters Already Emboldened by Dangerous Trump Agenda (Nov. 7): In an indication of how major utilities may respond to election results, the Chief Financial Officer of Duke Energy announced that in light of Donald Trump’s recent election win and the energy plans outlined in Project 2025, the utility is considering ramping up coal use in its operations.
- NC regulators approve Duke’s abdication of carbon reduction goals (Nov. 4): In a surprise move late Friday, months ahead of schedule, the North Carolina Utility Commission approved Duke’s energy plan that abandons the state’s requirement to reduce carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030.
- Commentary: It’s time for Duke Energy to support an electric grid that’s clean, affordable and reliable (July 26, NC Newsline). Dave Rogers, Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign: "This is an opportunity to be proactive and plan the grid of the future. … If Duke is serious about creating a grid that’s clean, affordable and reliable, they must support a plan that looks 20 years or more into the future and incorporates new power lines that let us add more low-cost resources while better connecting us with our neighbors."