EDF files requests that the NC Utilities Commission reject Duke Energy’s current Carbon Plan and order rapid action to bring offshore wind online

(RALEIGH, N.C. — September 10, 2024) Last week, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) filed post-hearing briefs with the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC), per the Commission’s direction in the Duke Energy Carbon Plan/Integrated Resource Plan (CPIRP) docket. EDF’s filing recommends that the Commission reject Duke Energy’s proposed CPIRP because it does not meet interim carbon reduction requirements designated in state law and does not provide the least cost pathway to decarbonization.

“The case for rejecting Duke Energy’s proposed Carbon Plan is compelling and clear,” said EDF’s Director of Southeast Climate and Clean Energy, Will Scott. “Duke’s plan does not meet the most basic requirements of state law, and leaves ratepayers vulnerable to unnecessary costs and risks associated with an expensive, gas-heavy plan and reliance on speculative technologies. There are cleaner, cheaper, more reliable, less risky options for customers. Commissioners should reject Duke’s proposal and adopt a Carbon Plan that delivers a more customer — and environment-friendly energy portfolio as required by state law.”

EDF’s filing also requests that the Commission provide greater market certainty for offshore wind developers prepared to invest in North Carolina. EDF urges the Commission to consider directing Duke to procure offshore wind resources as soon as possible, and approve the same type of early stage development cost recovery for offshore wind — a globally-proven, reliable, and abundant source of clean energy — as Duke seeks for much more speculative power sources, such as Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (“SMR”) technologies.

“If Duke simply moves to bring offshore wind online in the timeframe that developers have already said they can deliver, we can avoid the unnecessary costs and excessive pollution associated with massive investments in new fossil fuel power plants and infrastructure,” said Scott. “In Virginia, we see offshore wind poised to save ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year in avoided fuel costs. North Carolinians should benefit from the same common sense strategy that protects ratepayers from volatile fuel prices in coming decades.”

The NC Utilities Commission is required to issue an order in the CPIRP by the end of 2024.