Title
Vote on a recommendation from the Climate Change Advisory Committee to approve the signing of a joint letter to the North Carolina Utilities Commission regarding the Duke Energy Carbon Plan/Integrated Resource Plan
Abstract
Introduction & Background: Every two years, Duke Energy is required to submit a revised Carbon Plan/Integrated Resource Plan (CPIRP) to the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC). This plan is supposed to show how they will achieve carbon neutral power generation by 2050, as required by state law. The NCUC reviews Duke’s proposed plan through a public hearing process. This is the third CPIRP plan since the process was enacted by state law. Chatham County has signed the last two iterations of the joint letter, which was drafted by staff of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association and the Southeast Sustainability Director’s Network, with input from each local government.
Discussion & Analysis: Chatham County’s Solid Waste and Sustainability Director participated in the development of the letter and the County’s Climate Change Advisory Committee has reviewed the letter and recommends the BOC approve the signing of the letter. The letter recognizes Duke Energy’s efforts over the years to work towards the 2050 carbon neutral goal, while raising several points regarding Duke’s most recent energy plan. Generally, the letter:
• calls for greater transparency in Duke’s modeling assumptions regarding load growth forecasts,
• asks for Duke to:
o engage in an all-source procurement process to add capacity to the grid rather than focusing on new natural gas generators,
o strengthen the existing grid to allow for more distributed generation sources (like solar and wind),
o fully value energy efficiency and demand-side resources in their modeling,
o create viable pathways for large customers to access low or no carbon energy to meet their carbon reduction goals, and
• asks the NCUC to protect existing ratepayers from disproportionate cost burdens associated with new large loads predicted to come online in the coming years.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: The County has a resiliency goal to become carbon neutral. Lowering the carbon intensity of electricity generation is a key element to meeting and maintaining this goal.
Budgetary Impact: No budgetary impact is associated with this item.
Recommendation/Motion: Motion on a recommendation from the Climate Change Advisory Committee to approve the signing of a joint letter to the North Carolina Utilities Commission regarding the Duke Energy Carbon Plan/Integrated Resource Plan.