North Carolina clean energy advocates to appeal misleading Duke Energy program

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Clean energy advocates announced today that they will appeal the North Carolina Utilities Commission’s approval of a misleading customer program, proposed by regulated monopoly Duke Energy, that purports to aid in the state’s clean energy transition while making little tangible impact on that transition. The Southern Environmental Law Center represents the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) in the appeal.

For North Carolinians concerned with the impacts of climate change on their communities, contributing to and speeding along the state’s clean energy transition is paramount. Yet Duke’s new program – which encourages North Carolinians to pay the utility a premium to claim credit for clean energy projects – fails to accelerate any progress toward critical climate action deadlines.

The problem is that Duke was going to build these clean energy projects anyway, regardless of the subscription program.  To meet the growing demand for electricity and improve grid resilience, the utility adds new resources each year, and solar is regularly the cheapest source of new electricity generation. In addition, a 2021 bipartisan state law requires Duke to reduce carbon dioxide pollution, which solar energy does. Since Duke’s new program only allows residents to support clean energy projects that the utility already plans to procure, North Carolinians who participate won’t help reduce heat-trapping carbon pollution any faster than without the program.

“Duke’s new program threatens to mislead North Carolinians,” said Nick Jimenez, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Folks willing to pay extra to support clean energy projects will understandably – and mistakenly – assume that they’re helping accelerate our state’s clean energy transition.” 

In July of 2024, the North Carolina Utilities Commission approved a similar program for large customers, including businesses, municipalities, and universities.  

“Duke’s new customer program undermines the trust of North Carolinians seeking to protect their families and future generations from the consequences of climate-warming carbon pollution,” said Stacey Washington, clean energy and equity director with SACE. “Meanwhile, Duke’s corresponding program for large customers encourages corporations to claim support of our energy transition without keeping our communities safer.”