Title
Vote to approve a Joint Comment Letter on the Duke Energy Carbon Plan
Abstract
Introduction & Background: The North Carolina General Assembly passed HB951 in 2021. HB951 directs the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) to take all reasonable steps to achieve 70% carbon emissions reduction in the energy sector by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050, using 2005 levels as a baseline. Since Duke Energy is the largest energy producer in the state, the NCUC requires them to submit a plan for how they propose to achieve these reductions every two years. This joint letter is a response to the most recently submitted Duke Energy Carbon Plan. Chatham County was signatory to a similar letter in 2023 that was submitted in response to Duke Energy’s first Carbon Plan.
Discussion & Analysis: The Chatham County Environmental Quality Director has been working with a group of North Carolina local governments to craft a response to the most recent Duke Energy Carbon Plan. The carbon plan approved by the NCUC has an impact on local government’s ability to meet our own carbon reduction goals. Specifically, Chatham County has a comprehensive plan goal to become a carbon negative county. The combined energy use of the residential, commercial and industrial sectors is the largest contributor to Chatham County’s greenhouse gas inventory according to the most recent 2020 study. The contribution of energy to the greenhouse gas profile of the County will only continue to grow as the current economic development projects are built and associated development occurs.
The Climate Change Advisory Committee has reviewed this Joint Comment letter and recommends that Chatham County join with other local governments to urge Duke Energy and the NCUC to meet the targets set forth in HB951 and move as quickly as possible to carbon neutrality in it’s energy generation by retiring coal plants as quickly as possible, running all-source competitive procurement for new generation capacity, and encouraging and adequately accounting for energy efficiency improvements and demand side management of energy use.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: This item furthers the County’s goal to be a carbon negative county.
Budgetary Impact: There is no budgetary impact for this item.
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to approve a Joint Comment Letter on the Duke Energy Carbon Plan.