energy

It’s time now for a fact-check of North Carolina politics. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum spoke at the North Carolina Republican Party convention in Greensboro last month. He focused on energy policy and made a claim that Biden shut down natural gas export capacity.

Charlotte-based Albemarle Corp. is taking steps to make its planned lithium mine in Kings Mountain climate-friendly. The company announced a deal Wednesday to supply Caterpillar with lithium for electric vehicles. Caterpillar will provide battery-powered mining equipment to Albemarle.

Rooftop solar installers are asking state regulators to delay new rules and the implementation of lower payments for non-residential customers. They say Duke Energy hasn't provided adequate public notice of the changes that start next week.

A coalition of businesses wants North Carolina lawmakers to fund a study of the potential benefits of introducing competition to the state's electricity market.

More information is emerging about why Duke Energy couldn't find power to buy on Christmas Eve. Grid operator PJM said this week it's related to power plant malfunctions elsewhere like those Duke was having itself.

One of the longstanding arguments against renewable energy like wind and solar is that it's not as reliable as conventional power plants. But the Christmas Eve rolling blackouts in North Carolina turned that conventional wisdom on its head.

Duke Energy has asked North Carolina regulators to approve rate increases totaling 16% over three years for customers of its Duke Energy Progress unit, in eastern North Carolina and the Asheville area. Duke says the extra money would pay to strengthen the electric grid, improve reliability and prepare for more renewable energy.

The way North Carolina's big electric companies set rates is changing in a big way. State regulators adopted rules last week to carry out a new law that among other things lets utilities seek multi-year rate plans and earn performance-based bonuses.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has signed into law a major energy reform bill designed to promote cleaner energy and change the way electric utilities are regulated. Cooper signed the bill even though business, environmental and consumer groups say it doesn't go far enough and could lead to big price increases.

A bipartisan bill to overhaul North Carolina's electric power system to deal with climate change passed both chambers of the state legislature this week, and now awaits the governor's signature. It took a lot of haggling between Republicans and Democrats to get it there. WFAE climate reporter David Boraks talked with WFAE Weekend Edition host Nick de la Canal about the final deal and what it means.