Duke Energy would be allowed to avoid a fast-approaching climate change goal and charge North Carolina customers now for future power plants under the terms of a bill on the way to Gov. Josh Stein.

The bill also would have allowed Duke Energy to bill customers for the construction cost of plants that haven't yet been built.

A state law passed in 2021 requires Duke Energy to eliminate 70% of its 2005 carbon dioxide emissions by 2025 unless the N.C. Utilities Commission approves certain exemptions.

Due to HB 951, which passed in 2021, North Carolina requires Duke Energy to meet two emissions deadlines. By 2030, the utilities company is supposed to reduce its emissions by 70% of 2005 levels.

On Monday, Duke Energy submitted a proposal to the North Carolina Utilities Commission on how to lower its carbon emissions. The Charlotte-based energy company is required under House Bill 951 ...

Monday, Republican senators introduced a bill entitled “Energy Security and Affordability Act,” SB 261, which would repeal state requirements for Duke Energy to meet carbon reduction by 2030.

Duke Energy agreed in 2021 to cut its carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030. ... Duke Energy spokesman Bill Norton said the gas plants are needed to provide reliable power 24/7.

Duke Energy filed the proposal, which recommends a pathway to reducing carbon emissions 70% by 2035. The plan also offers two other pathways to hit that reduction target by 2030 and 2033 ...

Last year's state energy reform law called for cutting greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation by 70% from 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero carbon by 2050.

Concerns over rising electric bills will likely be one of the topics Tuesday night at a public hearing in Asheville.

Duke Energy recently proposed replacing two aging coal units with natural gas plants. New proposal could be pathway to keep them online.

Duke Energy would be allowed to avoid a fast-approaching climate change goal and charge North Carolina customers now for future power plants under the terms of a bill on the way to Gov. Josh Stein.