http://66.225.205.104/050511-DUKQA.mp3
Duke Energy's annual meeting in Charlotte on Thursday featured more protesters than usual. About 75 people chanted on the on the sidewalk outside. "Fire Jim Rogers," was one of the refrains. Meanwhile, Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers calmly waded through nearly two hours of critical questions from shareholders inside the meeting. Environmental activists demanded the company stop spending millions of dollars on plans to build new nuclear plant and invest in renewable energy instead. Rogers said Duke is committed to nuclear power. "It is the only technology that's available today to generate carbon free, reliable, baseload electricity 24-7," said Rogers. Conservative shareholders affiliated with the Tea Party movement demanded to know why Rogers had committed Duke Energy's resources to recruit the Democratic National Convention to Charlotte. "I'm concerned that shareholder assets were used to possibly secure your next job in the Obama Administration," said Deneen Borelli of the Free Enterprise Project. "There's a $10 million line of credit that was offered to the DNC that wasn't your personal money. And also you support Obama's initiative to drive energy costs higher by promoting cap and trade." Rogers replied that he's not looking for a job. His support of the Democratic National Convention is purely about promoting economic development in Charlotte. On the subject of climate change legislation, Rogers says regulations are inevitable. His goal is to make sure the laws work out well for Duke's ratepayers.