Lawmakers Pave Way for Duke Energy to Increase Rates and Profits, Backtrack on Climate Pollution Reduction Plan
RALEIGH, NC -- The Republican-controlled General Assembly is fast-tracking a bill that would raise energy customer prices and undo benchmarks for Duke Energy to meet carbon neutrality. Senate Bill 261 was filed by State Sen. Paul Newton, a former Duke Energy executive. Republican lawmakers tout the Energy Security and Affordability Act as a cost-saving measure. It would reverse House Bill 951, Energy Solutions for North Carolina, which passed in 2021 with strong bipartisan support and Duke Energy’s endorsement.
Following is a statement from Luis Martinez, Climate and Energy Director for the Southeast at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):
“Clean energy is the most affordable path forward for North Carolina. Duke Energy is again trying to put profits over people by building more fossil infrastructure, increasing energy bills, increasing pollution and threatening our future. Senate Bill 261is nothing but a dangerous corporate giveaway.”
Background:
SB 261 rolls back regulations on Duke Energy that would have required the state’s largest energy company to make commonsense clean energy transitions that would help save customers money and reduce climate pollution. The bill also allows Duke Energy to charge customers a “construction work in progress” fee; an added fee on electric bills can be charged to customers even if projects fail or are not completed.
SB 261 passed the Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday and now goes to Senate Rules. It is expected to come to the floor for a vote later this week.
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).