Supporters say the proposal would slow the need for Duke to add renewable energy sources, thereby limiting rate increases. Opponents say it would still raise bills and lead to a dirtier energy grid
The Republican-controlled N.C. General Assembly is pushing a bill that would allow Duke Energy to charge N.C. customers for power plants that haven’t yet been built and allow the utility giant to avoid the state’s approaching carbon emission-reduction goals.
The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 261, has prompted fierce pushback from environmentalists, clean energy advocates and many Democrats. They all claim the bill would move North Carolina in the wrong direction when it comes to cleaning up its air and battling climate change, would saddle customers with unneeded expenses, and tie the state more than ever to a future electrical grid that relies on old fossil fuel power sources rather than cleaner, cheaper and safer renewable…
