Climate Change

Duke Energy has requested permission from state regulators for steep rate hikes beginning in 2027. It’s also seeking one of the highest returns on its Carolina operations among regulated utilities.

Duke Energy is moving forward with plans to merge its two Carolina utilities, and a coalition of environmental, business and consumer advocates has reached a settlement intended to deliver immediate benefits to customers.

Last month’s winter storm pushed North Carolina’s energy grid to its limit. Now, the resulting power bills are turning heads.

The federal government plans to pay to keep coal plants open longer. It recently selected Duke Energy’s two-unit coal-burning plant to receive up to $34 million.

The student-led Sustainable Schools Coalition wants the Durham Board of Education to develop a Climate Action Plan, as agreed by the board in 2021.

Last week, the EPA rolled back a key climate finding that gave the federal agency the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Wednesday morning, environmental groups took the EPA and its administrator, Lee Zeldin, to court.

A task force of policymakers, state regulators, local officials and energy experts has spent the last six months developing recommendations for North Carolina to meet rising electrical demand driven by energy-hungry data centers.

On Thursday, the EPA repealed the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which identified six greenhouse gases — including carbon dioxide and methane — as public health threats and provided the foundation for federal regulators to enforce greenhouse gas emission standards with the auto industry.

A new report finds the American Southeast is more focused on generating new power than using energy more efficiently.

The utility is currently asking state regulators for permission to raise rates and increase its returns.