Friday, March 02, 2007

NC Utilities Commission Rules On Duke Power Request

In a highly anticipated ruling this week, the NCCU approved one of Duke Energy's two proposed new coal fired power plants for its Cliffside facility (located about 55 miles west of Charlotte). The proposal had met major opposition, in light of concerns around global warming and the need to pursue alternative energy sources. The ruling also for the first time requires that Duke set aside at least 1% of its statewide revenue ($34.5 million in 2005) toward energy efficiency programs. The news is big because the investor owned utilities have generally gotten their way in the past with regulators and policy makers in Raleigh. I hope this proves to be a turning point for energy policy in this state.

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