On a major bill that will shape North Carolina’s energy future, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican legislative leaders have reached what’s being called a compromise. But if that’s what House Bill 951 is, it’s an odd one.
HB 951
Duke Energy, House Republicans and hand-picked stakeholders met behind closed doors for months and produced this “Ratepayer Rip-Off Bill” that would be even worse than its predecessor, which was summarily defeated two years ago. Learn more.
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Bipartisan support for energy bill as some worry over costs, ‘ambiguities’ – WRAL
NC WARN, often the state’s most ardent environmental advocate, blasted the bill and the governor for supporting it, saying it “gives cover for the Charlotte-based corporate giant to continue its climate-wrecking expansion of gas-fired power plants.”
NC Governor Heeds Duke Energy Instead of Climate Science — News Release from NC WARN
Deal over controversial energy bill leaves Duke on track to keep building 50 gas-fired units despite pleas by world scientists, new revelations on methane.
North Carolina tightens rules on how Duke Energy pays for political activity — Energy News Network
Regulators clarify that utilities cannot charge ratepayers for political spending, but they’re free to spend profits on campaigns, including dark money groups.
Utilities Commission makes it tougher for companies to charge political expenditures to ratepayers — NC Policy Watch
The NC Utilities Commission closed several, but not all, loopholes in rules prohibiting public utilities, notably Duke Energy, from passing along lobbying and advertising expenses to ratepayers, according to a ruling issued last week.
Duke Energy Scandal, Ruling Over Influence Spending — News Release from NC WARN
Duke Energy “Influence Spending” Addressed in Mixed Ruling by NC Utilities Commission. Order comes as “worst-ever” scandal shows energy giant poured money onto state legislators in lead-up to ongoing, controversial energy bill.
DUKE ENERGY – NEWS & OBSERVER
Letter to the Editor by Jim Warren. Articles Wednesday on the climate crisis and the controversial energy bill, House Bill 951, wrongly implied that Duke Energy is shifting off fossil fuels.
As Duke Energy promotes controversial legislation in N.C., money pours in and rumors fly — Energy News Network
An analysis from a campaign finance expert shows a surge in political spending by Duke Energy’s PAC, board members, and the company itself, with some Democrats fearing retribution for opposing its bill. As Duke Energy promotes contentious energy legislation in North Carolina, a new analysis shows the Charlotte-based company and its associates have been pouring money into state politics like never before.
North Carolina HB 951 could mean windfall for Duke, large rate increases for customers — Energy and Policy Institute
Duke Energy is attempting to win major concessions from North Carolina lawmakers on an energy bill that would fundamentally change the state’s regulatory landscape, setting up a potential veto showdown with Governor Roy Cooper, and a battle with some of the state’s largest employers.
State regulators: More info needed to approve Duke Energy’s natural gas, other construction plans — WRAL
State regulators will take a closer look at Duke Energy’s long-term energy plans, they said Tuesday, delaying required approvals on keystone documents. The North Carolina Utilities Commission’s announcement comes after regulators in South Carolina this month rejected Duke’s plans in that state, adding more uncertainty to energy giant’s future construction plans.