Green Options » Duke Energy

Is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce the “Voice of Business” on Environmental Issues?

Cindy Tickle — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:56:34 +0000

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce promotes itself as the “voice of business” by representing business ideas and interests in Washington. Really? If this is true, then why are so many businesses leaving the Chamber? So far, high profile utility companies such as Exelon, Pacific Gas & Electric and PNM Resources have left the business association. Apple recently sent a letter to the Chamber’s CEO, Tom Donahue, resigning their membership effective immediately. It appears the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is doing an inadequate job of representing current business interests. So what is all the defections and hoopla about? Climate Change…

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Pacific Gas & Electric Rejects U.S.Chamber of Commerce Position on Climate Change

Tom Schueneman — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:57:18 +0000

San Francisco based power utility Pacific Gas & Electric has announced it will leave the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in protest over the organization’s “extreme” position on climate change.

Last month the Chamber of Commerce called for a “trial” on climate science as a means to thwart efforts in Congress to pass climate legislation, stymie the EPA’s endangerment finding regarding CO2 emissions, and needlessly continue to sow discord and confusion over the issue. It is an extremist position with which PG&E apparently wants no association. On a company blog post yesterday entitled Irreconcilable Differences, their position was made clear.

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Duke Energy Pulls Support for Dirty ‘Clean Coal’ Lobby

Timothy B. Hurst — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:41:16 +0000

Utility withdraws from the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, the troubled coal industry group

Duke Energy, the North Carolina-based electric utility announced on Wednesday it would be leaving the clean coal lobbying group, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE), over differences with the organization’s opposition to clean energy and climate legislation being considered by Congress.

Officials from Duke Energy said that “While some individual members of ACCCE are working to pass climate change legislation, we believe ACCCE is constrained by influential member companies who will not support passing climate change legislation in 2009 or 2010.”

Duke said that ACCCE’s position is not consistent with Duke Energy’s work to pass economy-wide and cost effective climate change legislation as soon as possible.

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EDF’s National Ad Campaign: Why the Head of Duke Energy Supports a Carbon Cap

edfblog — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:26:44 +0000

Duke Energy is the one of America’s largest coal-burning utility – so why would its chairman, Jim Rogers, back a cap on carbon emissions? “Because America has to start making smart choices,” he says in a 30-second spot that begins airing nationally today (see video below). “A well-designed cap that provides a smooth transition to clean energy will keep electricity affordable and protect your family’s budget,” Rogers adds.

This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

Duke Energy is joining the Environmental Defense Action Fund in a national advertising campaign that supports a “smart cap” on carbon emissions as the climate change solution that protects consumers.

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Indy Speeds Toward Role as Hybrid Hub

Dave Tyler — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:43:02 +0000

While in spring time Indiana’s thoughts generally turn from high school hoops to auto racing, Indianapolis last week launched a more than $200 million plan to put the region on the lead lap of the race to be a leader in hybrid vehicle technology.

The Indianapolis Star reports area business leaders are calling the effort the Energy Systems Network and says the effort hopes to draw on technical resources already in the region to create a hybrid economy.

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Duke Energy Plans Third Wyoming Wind Farm, Latest Step on Renewable Path

Dave Tyler — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:00:47 +0000

Duke Energy said today it will build a third wind farm in Wyoming and the Charlotte, N.C., based company plans to have the facility online by the end of this year.

The Silver Sage Windpower Project will generate 42 megawatts of electricity with 20 2.1 MW Suzlon wind turbines. It will join Duke’s 29-MW Happy Jack Windpower Project in Cheyenne and the 99-MW Campbell Hill Windpower Project near Casper which should also be online by year’s end.

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AREVA, Duke Energy Commit to Largest Woody Biomass Power Plant Projects in U.S.

Timothy B. Hurst — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:39:38 +0000

New York, September 24, 2008 - At the opening session of the 2008 Clinton Global Initiative, former president, and host of the event, Bill Clinton, announced a joint commitment from AREVA and Duke Energy to proceed with the development of fourteen wood biomass power plants in the United States. The project commitments will help avoid 4 million tons of carbon per year by 2014.

“This project comes at exactly the right time as Americans face soaring energy prices and look to meet rising electricity demand with green energy sources. The ADAGE biopower facilities will respond to our nation’s need for new baseload energy alternatives,” said Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration the total installed capacity of wood biomass power generation is 6,000 megawatts, said Clinton. That figure could easily be doubled over the next 10 years.

AREVA is the leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a key player in the electricity transmission and distribution sector. Duke Energy is one the largest electric utilities in the country. Duke supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 4 million U.S. customers across the Mid-Adlantic and Mid-West.

>>For more updates from CGI, subscribe to my Twitterfeed at @ecopolitologist, where I will be posting more commitments and news items as they develop.

Image credit: Andrew Ciscel via flickr under a Creative Commons License

Will Your Roof Soon Be Part of a Solar Power Plant?

Levi Novey — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:49:41 +0000

On Thursday, Charlotte based utility company Duke Energy unveiled plans for a pilot program that will test whether or not 850 North Carolina homes can collectively produce the energy of a small solar power plant. While the panels will only be placed on 850 roofs, it is estimated that they will actually produce 16 megawatts of electricity, enough energy to power 2600 homes.

Duke Energy has a few small obstacles to get past before it can move forward with its plan. The company is offering 100 million dollars to any company that can supply the necessary materials, panels, and labor for the project. They hope to get started in early 2009. In addition to finding a supplier, they must also gain the approval of the North Carolina Utilities Commission. It seems likely though that they will obtain approval in the next few months, given the considerable amount of public interest in clean energy projects.

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