FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Andrew Whelan, CleanAIRE NC, (919) 229-9293, [email protected]
Charlotte, N.C. — Earlier today, Duke Energy filed its combined Carbon Plan and Integrated Resource Plan proposal. This new plan represents the third iteration of Duke Energy’s strategy for reducing carbon emissions from its power plants and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, as mandated by House Bill 951 (HB 951).
CleanAIRE NC expresses serious concerns about Duke Energy’s proposed plan, which continues to prioritize fossil fuel expansion, delays coal retirement, and lacks meaningful engagement with the communities most vulnerable to environmental and economic harm.
While our organization still needs to review the proposal in its entirety, on its face the plan includes new natural gas infrastructures, while limiting investments in cost-effective renewable technologies. We are especially concerned that the plan omits wind energy entirely. And while the plan includes some marginal increases to solar energy and battery storage, these are still woefully inadequate to get us to our emission reduction goals. These choices risk raising utility bills, contribute to climate change and increase pollution across the state.
Additionally, the plan fails to meaningfully include low-income, rural, and BIPOC communities in the stakeholder engagement process. These communities face some of the highest energy burdens in the state and are often among those most affected by fossil fuel-related pollution.
HB 951 was passed by the NC General Assembly in 2021 and set two specific targets the Carbon Plan must achieve. The first was reducing carbon emissions caused by utility companies by 70% below 2005 levels by 2030. The second was attaining complete carbon neutrality by 2050. Unfortunately, this legislative session has repealed the 2030 target through Senate Bill 266, while also allowing Duke Energy to charge customers upfront for the cost of constructing new facilities.
CleanAIRE NC calls on the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Governor Josh Stein, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, and the North Carolina Energy Policy Task Force to carefully examine the plan proposed by Duke Energy. CleanAIRE NC supports a transition rooted in clean, renewable technologies, community engagement, and equitable investments that ensure all North Carolinians benefit from the state’s energy future.
###
CleanAIRE NC is a statewide nonprofit organization advocating for the health of all North Carolinians by pursuing equitable and collaborative solutions that address climate change and air pollution. www.cleanAIREnc.org
