For Immediate Release,
March 2, 2021
Contact:
Jean Su, Center for Biological Diversity, (415) 770-3187, jsu@biologicaldiversity.org
Legal Challenge: Duke Energy Plan Would Supersize Climate Pollution, Waste Billions on Unused Power Plants
Justice Groups Say Carolinas Plan Would Add More Than 50 Gas-fired Units, Even As Dozens Sit Idle During Peak Demand
DURHAM,
N.C.— NC WARN and the Center for Biological Diversity have filed a legal challenge to Duke Energy’s plan to build scores of gas-fired power plants in the Carolinas even though huge amounts of excess generation already sit unused during the worst winter weather.
The challenge, filed yesterday with the North Carolina Utilities Commission, points out that Duke Energy remains a national laggard on cheaper, renewable power. It also notes that Duke’s plans clash with global climate goals. It would be less expensive to add battery storage at existing solar farms than build more than 50 fracked-gas units and continue to burn coal.