Duke Energy, the nation’s largest provider of electricity, is making news again.  But, it’s not exactly what anyone would call a public relations dream scenario.

Walt Mack

Walt Mack

In May, the Charlotte-based utility pleaded guilty to nine violations of the Federal Clean Water Act.  The firm admitted illegally discharging coal ash pollution from five of its North Carolina power plants.

Jeff Danner explains the Duke Energy coal ash spill

As a result, it paid $102 million in fines and restitution.

Now, Duke Energy is charging NC Warn, a non-profit environmental group, with illegally delivering solar power to a church in Greensboro, North Carolina.  And North Carolina is one of only five states that gives utilities the exclusive rights to selling solar electricity direct to consumers.

Despite the minuscule amounts of electricity involved, Duke has pushed ahead anyway, invoking state law that prohibits third party sales of solar electricity.

Duke may feel its profits are being eroded by private solar producers, since North Carolina ranks second (only behind in California), in the amount of solar electricity generated by home-owners, farmers, and businesses.

Listen to Walt Mack’s Commentary

But, that’s less than one percent of the solar electricity produced in the state.

Small potatoes for the energy giant.

Also, Duke Energy’s third quarter earnings took a big hit as a result of weak performance in the international business, particularly with the hydroelectric plants in Brazil and Central America.

Perhaps, Duke Energy would be better served shifting its attention to the home front, right here in North Carolina, and concentrate on being an environmentally responsible corporate citizen.

This would be nice.

— Walt Mack

Related Stories
‹
Judge Dismisses Carrboro's Climate Change 'Deception' Lawsuit vs. Duke Energy, Citing 'Imprecise' Claims
Following arguments held in September, Superior Court Judge Mark Davis dismissed the Town of Carrboro lawsuit on Friday.
Duke Energy Files Motion to Dismiss Carrboro's Climate Change 'Deception' Lawsuit
Duke Energy filed a motion to dismiss a Town of Carrboro lawsuit against it in Orange County, the first legal response by the energy giant.
Top Stories of 2024: Town of Carrboro Sues Duke Energy Over Climate Change Effects
At the start of December, the Town of Carrboro filed a climate change-related lawsuit against Duke Energy — one of the first of its kind.
North Carolina Watchdog Takes Legal Action Against Duke Energy
Two climate activism organizations have taken legal action against what they describe as Duke Energy’s pervasive influence spending. NC Warn, a North Carolina climate justice watchdog, and Friends of the Earth, an international environmental organization with a local chapter in Durham, are fighting to stop Duke Energy from using consumer money to garner political and […]
North Carolina Court Upholds Group’s Solar Power Violation
The North Carolina Supreme Court on Friday quickly rejected a challenge to regulators who decided a clean-energy advocacy group broke electric-service rules by selling solar power to a church. The justices heard oral arguments less than four weeks ago in the case involving NC WARN, which installed solar panels on a Greensboro church’s roof and […]
As Climate Tipping Point Nears, Duke Energy Lags Behind Other Utilities on Renewables
Global temperatures in 2016 are near the tipping point that could cause global warming to surge forward under its own momentum. The heating is happening much faster than scientists expected even a year ago. It’s partly due to the natural gas industry’s leakage of methane, a super-potent greenhouse gas that’s now the key US driver […]
On the Porch: Lisa Sorg - Data Centers
This Week: Lisa Sorg is the North Carolina reporter for Inside Climate News. A journalist for 30 years, Sorg covers energy, climate environment and agriculture, as well as the social justice impacts of pollution and corporate malfeasance. She has won dozens of awards for her news, public service and investigative reporting. In 2022, she received the Stokes Award from the National Press Foundation for her two-part story about the environmental damage from a former missile plant on a Black and Latinx neighborhood in Burlington. Sorg was previously an environmental investigative reporter at NC Newsline, a nonprofit media outlet based in Raleigh. She has also worked at alt-weeklies, dailies and magazines. Originally from rural Indiana, she lives in Durham, N.C.
In Carrboro and Orange County, A Push Back Against Pollution
The Carrboro Town Council and Orange County Commissioners both passed resolutions this week to tackle climate change.
Here Are Winter Storm Resources in Orange County During Cold and Snowy Weather
With a massive winter storm forecasted, many in Orange County are preparing for frigid temperatures. Here are key resources to stay safe.
Chapel Hill: Downed Tree Shuts Down West Cameron Avenue
Chapel Hill officials are asking drivers to find alternate routes as a downed tree has shut down a portion of West Cameron Avenue.
›