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{{#badges:CoalSwarm|WaterEnergy|AEX}}{{Infobox Company| company_name = '''Duke Energy Corporation| company_logo = [[Image:Duke energy.gif|240px|center]]| company_type = Public ({{nyse|DUK}})| genre =| foundation =| founder =| dissolved =| location = 526 South Church St.<br>''' is headquartered in Charlotte, NC 28202| locations =| area_served = IN, KY, NC, OH, SC| key_people = [[James E. Rogers]], CEO| industry = Electric Producer, Distributor, and Utility<br>Natural Gas Utility<br>Real Estate<br>Telecommunications| products = Electricity| services =| revenue = $14describes itself as "one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States.53 billion (2011)"<ref name="annualreportAnnualReport">Duke Energy, [http://www.duke-energy.com/pdfs/DukeEnergy_2011_AR-10k.pdf Duke Energy Corp.], Duke Energy, accessed February 11, 2013.</ref>| operating_income = | company_slogan =| net_income = {{profit}} $1.71 billion ("2011)<ref name="annualreport"/>| assets =| num_employees = 17,800| parent =| equity =| owner =| divisions = Duke Energy Franchised Electric & Gas<br>Commercial Power<br>International| subsid = Duke Energy Carolinas<br>Duke Energy Ohio<br>Duke Energy Kentucky<br>Duke Energy Indiana<br>Duke Energy Generation Services<br>Duke Energy International<br>Crescent Resources<br>Duke Energy Generation Services<br>Duke Energy Argentina<br>Duke Energy Brazil<br>Duke Energy Peru<br>DukeNet Communications| homepage = [http://www.dukeAnnual Report and Form 10-energy.com/ Duke-Energy.com]| footnotes =}}'''Duke Energy''' is a major electricity generating company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.<ref name="qrtrs">[http://www.duke-energy.com/news/releases/2009022601.asp/ "Duke Energy Announces New Corporate HeadquartersK"], ''Duke Energy''organizational document, accessed February 2619, 2009.2013</ref>
{{about_ALEC}}The [[Portal:Fix the Debt|Campaign to Fix the Debt]] is the latest incarnation of a decades-long effort by former Nixon man turned Wall Street billionaire [[Pete Peterson]] to slash earned benefit programs such as [[Social Security]] and [[Medicare]] under the guise of fixing the nation's "debt problem."
==History==This article is part of the Center for Media and Democracy's investigation of Pete Peterson's Campaign to "Fix the Debt." '''Please visit our main SourceWatch page on [[Portal:Fix the Debt|Fix the Debt]].'''
The company began in 1900 as the Catawba Power Company, when Dr. Walker Gill Wylie and his brother financed the building of a hydroelectric power station at India Hook Shoals along the Catawba River. In need of additional funding to further his ambitious plan for construction of a series of hydroelectric power plants, Wylie convinced James B. Duke to invest in the Southern Power Company, founded in 1905, which later became known as Duke Power. In 1988, Nantahala Power & Light Co., which served southwestern North Carolina, was purchased by Duke and is now operated under the Duke Power - Nantahala Area brand. Duke Power merged with PanEnergy in 1997 {{about_FTD}}==Ties to form Duke Energy. The Duke Power name continued as the electric utility business of Duke Energy until the Cinergy merger (Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company with Kentucky subsidiary Union Light, Heat & Power and Plainfield, Indiana-based PSI Energy).<ref>Duke Energy News [http://www.duke-energy.com/news/releases/2006/apr/2006040301.asp "Duke Energy, Cinergy Complete Merger"], Duke Energy Website, August 2009</ref>American Legislative Exchange Council==
With '''Duke Energy''' has been a corporate funder of the purchase [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC), the [[ALEC State Chairmen|state corporate co-chair]] of Indiana and South Carolina <ref>American Legislative Exchange Council, "Solutions for the Cinergy CorporationStates," 38th Annual Meeting agenda, announced in 2005 and completed on April file with CMD, August 3-6, 2006, Duke Energy Corporation2011</ref> and a member of ALEC's customer base now includes the midwestern U[[Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force]]<ref>American Legislative Exchange Council, [http://www.Scommoncause. as wellorg/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/eea_35-day_mailingstfs11%20Ohio. The company operates nuclear power plantspdf Energy, coal-fired plantsEnvironment, and Agriculture Task Force Meeting 2010 States and Nation Policy Summit December 2, 2010 Meeting Minutes], organizational document, March 31, conventional hydroelectric plants2011, natural-gas turbines to handle peak demandp. 43, obtained and pumped hydro storagereleased by Common Cause April 2012</ref>. During 2006, Duke Energy also acquired Chathamwas a "Vice Chair"-level sponsor of the 2016 ALEC Annual Conference.<ref>Nick Surgey, Ontario"[https://www.exposedbycmd.org/2016/07/27/exxonmobil-based Union Gastop-sponsor-alec-annual-meeting/ ExxonMobil Top Sponsor at ALEC Annual Meeting], which is regulated under the Ontario Energy Board Act (1998)" ''Exposed by CMD'', Center for Media and Democracy, July 27, 2016.</ref>
On January 3, 2007, Duke Energy spun off its gas business to form Spectra Energy. Duke Energy shareholders received 1 share of Spectra Energy for each 2 shares of Duke Energy. After the spin-off, Duke Energy now receives the majority of its revenue from its electric operations in portions of North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. The spinoff to Spectra also included Union Gas, which Duke Energy acquired the previous year. ===Duke merges with Progress Energy===On January 9, 2011, Duke Energy said it agreed to buy See [[Progress EnergyALEC Corporations]] for $13.7 billion in stock, creating the largest U.S. power company if it wins approval from regulators in North and South Carolina. The transaction would create an industry giant with approximately 7.1 million electricity customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, and 57,000 megawatts of generating capacity. State regulators have sought concessions from large power companies planning to merge, such as rate reductions.<ref>Matt Daily, [http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7092NK20110110?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews "Duke Energy to buy Progress Energy for $13.7 billion"] Reuters, Jan. 10, 2011.</ref> If the deal is approved by regulators, the combined companies would form the single largest utility in the United States.<ref>[http://oilandglory.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/01/10/coals_dim_future "Coal's Dim Future"] Steve LeVine, Foreign Policy, January 10, 2011.</ref> In hearings before the NC Utilities Commission in September, 2011, a variety of organizations objected to the merger.<ref>[http://ncuc.commerce.state.nc.us/cgi-bin/fldrdocs.ndm/INPUT?compdesc=PROGRESS%20ENERGY%20CAROLINAS%2C%20INC.%3B%20CAROLINA%20POWER%20%26%20LIGHT%20COMPANY%2C%20DBA&numret=001&comptype=E&docknumb=2&suffix1=&subNumb=998&suffix2=&parm1=000135225 Docket Search, NCUC] North Carolina Utilities Commission.</ref> The merger would mean "increased emissions from coal-fired generation" with an increase of 9.5 million MWH of coal-fired generation over the first five years after the merger, and would also result in the creation of a dominant procurer of renewable energy that would limit the pool of renewable energy developers, according to environmental organizations.<ref>Testimony of Richard H. Hahn, Docket No. E-2, Sub 998 / E-7, Sub 986, Sept. 8, 2011.</ref> Critics suggested requiring Duke / Progress to generate more energy from renewables, to provide more protection for the poor against future rate increases, to commit to investments in energy conservation and smart-grid technologies, to allow solar-panel owners to sell electricity directly to consumers rather than only to utilities, and to unlink electric company profits from the amount of power sold.<ref> Emery P. Dalesio, [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-nc-duke-progressmerg,0,5841016.story "NC opens hearings on Progress-Duke Energy merger,"] Associated Press, Sept. 20, 2011.</ref> [[Paul Chesser]] of the [[American Tradition Institute]] said the criticism was nothing more than a "green shakedown." <ref> Paul Chesser, [http://nlpc.org/stories/2011/09/14/greens-want-their-cut-duke-progress-merger "Duke - Progress Merger Provides Shakedown Opportunity for Activists,"] American Tradition Institute, Sept. 14, 2011.</ref> '''FERC and anti-trust concerns:''' On Sept. 30, 2011, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission found that the merger would adversely impact competition in the North Carolina energy market. The company will have until Dec. 1, 2011, to address concerns. <ref> John Murawski, [http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/10/03/1536325/utilities-to-revamp-merger.html "Duke, Progress execs say they will address federal concerns over merger,"] Raleigh News & Observer, Oct. 3, 2011. </ref> FERC said the concerns with competitiveness were especially serious in Eastern North Carolina. <ref>[http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/File_list.asp?document_id=13959740 "Order on Disposition of Jurisdictional Facilities and Merger,"] FERC Docket No. EC11-60-000, Sept. 30, 2011.</ref> The merger went into effect on July 2, 2012. Progress CEO [[Bill Johnson]] assumed the CEO position at the combined company, signing a three-year contract. One day later, on July 3, Johnson resigned. Regardless, Johnson will receive exit payments worth as much as $44.4 million, according to Duke regulatory filings. Johnson’s replacement is former Duke CEO [[Jim Rogers]].<ref>Philip Bump, [http://grist.org/news/duke-ceo-bill-johnson-resigns-after-one-day-gets-44-million-in-severance/ "Duke Energy CEO Bill Johnson resigns after one day, gets $44 million in severance,"] Grist, July 6, 2012.</ref>
A 2011 analysis by Citizens for Tax Justice and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, [http://www.ctj.org/corporatetaxdodgers/CorporateTaxDodgersReport.pdf "Corporate Taxpayers & Corporate Tax Dodgers: 2008-10"] found dozens of companies, including fossil fuels, used tax breaks and various tax dodging methods to have a negative tax balance between 2008 and 2010, while making billions in profits. The study found 32 companies in the fossil-fuel industry -- such as [[Peabody Energy]], [[ConEd]], and [[PG&E]] -- transformed a tax responsibility of $17.3 billion on $49.4 billion in pretax profits into a tax benefit of $6.5 billion, for a net gain of $24 billion.<ref>Brad Johnson, [http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/11/07/363018/corporate-welfare-for-energy-companies-means-we-paid-24-billion-in-taxes-to-them/ "Corporate Welfare For Energy Companies Means We Paid $24 Billion In Taxes To Them,"] Think Progress, Nov. 7, 2011.</ref>
The companies that paid no tax for at least one year between 2008 and 2010 are the utilities [[Ameren]], [[American Electric Power]], [[CenterPoint Energy]], [[CMS Energy]], [[Consolidated Edison]], [[DTE Energy]], [[Duke Energy]], [[Entergy]], [[FirstEnergy]], [[Integrys]], [[NextEra Energy]], [[NiSource]], [[Pepco]], [[PG&E]], [[PPL]], [[Progress Energy]], [[Sempra Energy]], [[Wisconsin Energy]] and [[Xcel Energy]].<ref>Robert S. McIntyre, Matthew Gardner, Rebecca J. Wilkins, Richard Phillips, [http://www.ctj.org/corporatetaxdodgers/CorporateTaxDodgersReport.pdf "Corporate Taxpayers & Corporate Tax Dodgers: 2008-10"] Citizens for Tax Justice and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, November 2011 Report.</ref>
==Congressional Campaign Contributions==
Duke Energy is one of the largest contributors to both Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress. These contributions total $392,600 to the 110th US Congress (as of the third quarter), the largest of which has been to Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) for $28,000. Senator Voinovich, for his part, has consistently voted with the coal industry on energy bills.[http://www.followthecoalmoney.org ]
Contributions like this from from fossil fuel companies to members of Congress are often seen as a political barrier to pursuing clean energy.[http://www.followthecoalmoney.org ]
More information on coal industry contributions to Congress can be found at [http://www.followthecoalmoney.org FollowtheCoalMoney.org], a project sponsored by the nonpartisan, nonprofit [http://www.priceofoil.org Oil Change International] and [http://www.appalachianvoices.org Appalachian Voices].
==Duke Indiana hires state regulators==
In September 2010, Duke Energy Indiana hired as assistant general counsel Scott Storms, the General Counsel and Chief Administrative Law Judge at the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), raising questions about the revolving door relationship between regulators and utilities.<ref>[http://www.indystar.com/article/20100922/BUSINESS/9220385/Indiana-regulator-s-move-to-Duke-Energy-criticized?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CIndyStar.com "Consumer group criticizes Indiana regulator's move to Duke Energy"] Indystar.com, Sep. 22, 2010.</ref> Storms served as General Counsel to the state Commission that regulates Duke and other Indiana utilities, and was the presiding Judge over most hearings regarding the controversial [[Edwardsport Plant]], a $2.35 billion [[Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle]] coal plant currently under construction, which is projected to raise customer rates an average 19 percent rate by 2013.<ref>[http://www.duke-energy.com/news/releases/2010041601.asp "Duke Energy Indiana Files Cost Update for Clean Coal Gasification Power Plant"] Duke Energy, April 16, 2010.</ref> Storms signed many of the IURC’s decisions related to Edwardsport – the last as recent as July 23, 2010. Citizens Action Coalition noted that this violates the Indiana Ethics Commission's direction for State employees, which states on its website: “[If] you work for the Utility Regulatory Commission making regulatory decisions concerning a public utility company, you may not work for this utility company for a year.”<ref>[http://www.in.gov/ig/2340.htm "Post-Employment Restrictions"] Indiana.gov, accessed September 2010.</ref>
The current Chairman of the IURC, David Lott Hardy, also worked for one of Duke’s predecessor companies, PSI Energy, several years ago.<ref>"Duke Energy’s recent hirings raise ethics questions," Citizens Action Coalition News Release, Sep. 21, 2010.</ref>
===IURC Chair Hardy dismissed, Duke CEO Reed put on leave, and Duke rate hike denied===
In October 2010, Duke placed Mike Reed, president and CEO of its Indiana operations, on administrative leave in the wake of a state investigation into the company that resulted in the dismissal of the chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) David Lott Hardy. Early that month, Gov. Mitch Daniels fired IURC chief Hardy for allowing IURC agency official Scott Storms to continue presiding over the Edwardsport Duke Energy case even after talking with Duke about a job opportunity.<ref name="co">Chris O'Malley, [http://www.ibj.com/duke-energy-puts-ceo-on-leave-after-state-probe/PARAMS/article/22676 "Duke Energy puts local CEO on leave amid state probe"] Indiana Business Journal, Oct. 5, 2010.</ref>
The firing of Hardy followed the departure to Duke’s Plainfield office of Scott Storms, who had been administrative law judge for the IURC and presided over a handful of cases involving Duke, including matters involving cost overruns at Duke’s Edwardsport generating plant. Duke said it was also putting Storms on administrative leave from his position in Duke’s legal-regulatory department, “pending the completion of a full evaluation.”<ref name="co"/>
Daniels has directed that administrative opinions over which Storms presided will be reopened and reviewed by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission “to ensure no undue influence was exerted in the decisions.” Daniels also directed that a one-year cooling off period for decision makers is to be considered for those at the administrative law judge level. The administration said it has referred the matter to the inspector general to determine if any laws were broken or whether misinformation was presented to the Ethics Commission.<ref name="co"/> In October 2011, the commission dismissed Duke's rate hike request for power grid upgrades, citing the fact that Storms presided over the original case before accepting employment with Duke.<ref>[http://www.theindychannel.com/news/29544418/detail.html "Ethics Scandal Zaps Former Duke Energy Attorney"] ABC, Oct. 20, 2011.</ref>
Construction of Duke's [[Edwardsport Plant]], a project that Storms had overseen from the beginning, also loomed, as construction costs have increased from $2 billion to more than $3 billion. State regulators are scheduled to begin hearings in late October 2011 on whether Duke Energy or Indiana ratepayers will cover the more than $1 billion in cost overruns. The state ruled that Storms violated Indiana ethics laws. The ethics commission fined Storms and stripped him of his law license. Storms has since appealed the rulings.<ref>[http://www.theindychannel.com/news/29544418/detail.html "Ethics Scandal Zaps Former Duke Energy Attorney"] ABC, Oct. 20, 2011.</ref>
===E-mails raise ethics questions over Duke executives and Indiana regulators===
In late November 2010 it was discovered that James L. Turner, the second-highest-paid executive at Duke Energy Corp., kept in regular touch with Indiana regulators. In dozens of e-mails, obtained by The Indianapolis Star under an open records request, the Turner and David Lott Hardy, then chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, discussed many personal topics, sometimes trading messages eight or 10 times a day. Turner and Hardy also frequently discussed Storms and Reed, as those two went through job interviews and were hired away from the IURC by Duke earlier that year. Hardy wanted constant reports on the hiring process: "How real is the interest in Mike (Reed)? I think it's a marriage made in heaven. Is this decision yours and I don't need to sell Jim [Rogers, CEO of Duke], or is his buy-in pivotal?" The Indianapolis Star wrote that the emails "show that the friendly relationship between Duke and Indiana regulators, which resulted in the firing of Duke's Indiana president, Mike Reed, in an ethics scandal earlier this month, extended all the way to Duke's headquarters in North Carolina" and that "the e-mails raise questions about whether Turner had special access to Hardy that was unavailable to utility customers, grass-roots groups and everyday citizens in matters of rate increases and electricity regulation."<ref>John Russell, [http://www.indystar.com/article/20101128/LOCAL/11280356/IURC-chief-and-Duke-exec-were-pals-e-mails-show?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com|default|s "Regulator, utility power player discussed a lot -- including Duke's hiring process"] Indy Star, Nov. 28, 2010.</ref>
On December 6, 2010, James Turner resigned.<ref>Julie Rose, [http://www.wfae.org/wfae/1_87_316.cfm?action=display&id=6713 "Duke Energy Exec James Turner Resigns Over Ethics Flap"] WFAE 90.7FM, Dec. 6, 2010.</ref> Turner will leave the company with a farewell package worth more than $12 million, which includes his pension, bonuses and deferred compensation worth more than $8.5 million. In return, Turner has agreed not to work for a competitor for two years and not to solicit business from Duke customers or entice other Duke employees to leave.
===January 2011: Former Duke CEO to be questioned by community groups===
On Dec. 21, 2010, The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission signed an order that compels former Duke executive James Turner to appear at a deposition in Indianapolis for questioning by the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, the Sierra Club, Save the Valley and Valley Watch. The groups will get to question James Turner in early 2011 about his role in the company's decision to hire away several state employees in possible violation of Indiana ethics laws, as well as about the company's $2.9 billion coal-gasification plant in Edwardsport, which they call a boondoggle. The groups want to use the information to help build a case that Duke Energy used undue influence in getting the state to approve the Edwardsport plant and its cost overruns, much of which will be passed along to consumers. The groups want to halt construction at the plant, which is more than halfway completed, and have Duke foot much of the bill on the grounds that the company has concealed information and mismanaged the project. In mid-December, Duke agreed to reopen negotiations on the plant's latest round of cost overruns, worth about $500 million.<ref>John Russell, [http://www.indystar.com/article/20101223/LOCAL/12230385/Ex-Duke-executive-will-grilled-deposition?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com "Ex-Duke executive will be grilled at deposition"] IndyStar.com, Dec. 23, 2010.</ref>
==CEO compensation==
In May 2007, ''Forbes'' listed Duke Energy CEO [[Jim Rogers (Duke Energy CEO)|Jim Rogers]] as receiving $10.2 million in total compensation for the latest fiscal year. He ranked 10th on the list of CEOs in the Utilities industry, and 174th out of all CEOs in the United States.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/12/lead_07ceos_James-E-Rogers_LS2L.html CEO Compensation: #174 James E Rogers,] Forbes.com, May 3, 2007.</ref>
==Switching sides on global warming==
The company, previously called Duke Power, was a member of the [[Global Climate Coalition]], a now-defunct industry group that fought plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. [http://www.prwatch.org/improp/gcc.html]
In January 2007, Duke Energy was one of 10 major companies to form the U.S. [[Climate Action Partnership]], an industry group that called on U.S. [[George Walker Bush|President Bush]] to "to fight global warming by limiting greenhouse gases, funding research into renewable energy and creating a market for carbon dioxide emissions." [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/23/CEOCLIMATE.TMP]
Duke's role in the group was widely seen as visionary and/or selfless despite the fact that it proposed to construct two new coal-fired power plants in its service territory ([[Cliffside Plant|Cliffside]] and [[Edwardsport Plant|Edwardsport]]). "About half of Duke's electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, which release more carbon dioxide than those burning natural gas," noted the ''San Francisco Chronicle''. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/23/CEOCLIMATE.TMP] Duke also remains a member in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - a group that vehemently opposes climate legislation.
===CEO Jim Rogers suggests Duke moving away from coal===
In May 2009, [[Jim Rogers (Duke Energy CEO)|Jim Rogers]] told reporters that that Duke was likely building its last two coal plants, until and unless [[Carbon Capture and Storage|carbon capture and storage]] (CCS) technology becomes commercially available. Rogers said he would instead focus on nuclear power generation. He said nuclear power presents less of a waste disposal problem than coal plants, because a smaller area is required for waste storage, and because CCS will require a system to transport CO<sub>2</sub> gas long distances.<ref>Gerard Wynn, [http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE54P1LG20090526 "Duke Energy building "last two" coal plants: CEO,"] Reuters, May 26, 2009.</ref>
One of key trends being considered in a joint Duke - [[Rocky Mountains Institute]] project on the company's business scenarios is "whether key technological developments, such as carbon capture and sequestration, develop or not".<ref>Llewellyn Wells, [http://www.rmi.org/Content/Files/DukeEnergy_SJ_Fall09.pdf "Unlikely Partners: RMI and Duke Work Together to Create a New Energy Future"], ''Solutions Journal'', Fall 2009, pages 20-21. (Llewellyn Wells is RMI’s Vice President of Outreach).</ref>
===Duke Energy and Alstom Power leave ACCCE over climate change legislation===
In September 2009, both [[Duke Energy]] and Alstom Power, a French company that makes parts for power plants, announced they were resigning from the industry group [[American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity]]. Both companies cited concerns about alliance's opposition of the [[Waxman-Markey Climate Bill]], which is attempting to cap greenhouse gas emissions. Tim Brown, a spokesman for Alstom, said the company wanted to remove any doubt about its full support for the legislation.<ref>Robert Annis, [http://www.indystar.com/article/20090908/BUSINESS/909080316/Duke+pulls+out+of+clean-coal+industry+group "Coal group's opposition to climate-change bill sparks Duke's departure,"] ''Indianapolis Star,'' September 8, 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/09/09/09greenwire-another-company-leaves-mixed-messaging-coal-al-88273.html "Another Company Leaves 'Mixed Messaging' Coal Alliance,"] Greenwire, September 9, 2009.</ref>
Duke Energy still works with representatives of ACCCE within the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]]'s [[Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force]].<ref name=GreenpeaceALEC2>Connor Gibson, [http://greenpeaceblogs.com/2012/07/17/duke-energy-uses-alec-to-attack-climate-and-clean-energy-laws-in-pay-to-play-politics/ "Duke Energy Uses ALEC to Attack Climate and Clean Energy Laws in Pay-to-Play Politics",] "Greenpeace", July 17, 2012.</ref>
==Duke Energy and the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC)==
According to the Charlotte Business Journal, Duke Energy has given ALEC $116,000 since 2009 for its meetings, including a $50,000 grant for ALEC's spring 2012 meeting in Charlotte, NC where Duke is headquartered. Duke claims that it doesn't support ALEC's attacks on climate change legislation and renewable energy standards.<ref name="DowneyALECDuke">John Downey, [http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/print-edition/2012/05/11/duke-buys-in-to-alec-meeting.html?page=all "Duke Energy buys in to ALEC meeting",] "Charlotte Business Journal", May 11, 2012.</ref> Duke and [[Progress Energy]] are members of ALEC's [[Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force]] where model state laws are created to attack Environmental Protection Agency clean air and water regulations, end state partnerships to reduce global warming emissions, create [[fracking]] chemical disclosure loopholes, and other laws that benefit companies like Duke, [[ExxonMobil]], [[Koch Industries]], [[Peabody Energy]] and others who have ALEC membership.<ref name=GreenpeaceALEC1>Connor Gibson, [http://greenpeaceblogs.com/2012/05/10/whats-on-alecs-polluter-agenda-tomorrow/ "What's on ALEC's Polluter Agenda Tomorrow?",] "Greenpeace", May 10, 2012.</ref>
Duke also helps [[ALEC State Chairmen]] in South Carolina and Indiana oversee ALEC activity in those states, primarily for fundraising and ALEC recruitment, according to ALEC's bylaws. <ref name="ALECbylaws">[http://www.prwatch.org/files/ALEC_bylaws.pdf "American Legislative Exchange Council Bylaws",] "PR Watch", PDF created February 6, 2012 from ALEC's 2007 IRS 990 tax filing.</ref> Working alongside ALEC state chairmen Rep. David Wolkins and Sen. Jim Buck in Indiana is Julie Griffith, Duke's Vice President of Government Affairs. In South Carolina, Duke's SC Regional Director Chuck Claunch and Progress Energy's Jeanelle McCain serve as private sector co-chairs with ALEC State Chairmen Rep. Liston Barfield and Sen. Thomas Alexander.<ref name=GreenpeaceALEC2/>
==Workforce cuts==
Almost 900 Duke employees took a buyout offer made by the company in early 2010, reducing Duke's workforce by almost five percent.<ref name="jdmsn">John Downey, [http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=ACBJ&date=20100414&id=11411307 "Duke Energy says 900 employees will take buyouts",] "MSN Money", April 14, 2010.</ref> The offer was made to Duke's 8,700 non-union workers, who represent about forty-seven percent of the company's 18,700 person workforce.<ref name="jdmsn"/> The cuts have come from workers in the five states that Duke has operations.<ref name="jdmsn"/>
In 2006, Duke cut 1,500 jobs after a merger with Cinergy Corporation.<ref>Laura Baverman, [http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/03/19/story6.html "Business Courier", March 16, 2007.</ref> Utility companies Dominion Resources and Duke Energy made similar cuts in 2010.<ref name="dgear">Dan Gearino, [http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2010/04/15/aep-to-cut-up-to-10-of-workers.html?sid=101 "AEP to cut up to 10% of workers",] "Columbus Dispatch", April 15, 2010.</ref>
==Power portfolio==
Out of its total 43,761 MW of electric generating capacity in 2005 (4.10% of the U.S. total), Duke produces 42.5% from coal, 32.4% from natural gas, 17.2% from nuclear, 6.5% from hydroelectricity, and 1.3% from oil. Duke owns power plants in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.<ref name="EIA">[http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epat2p2.html Existing Electric Generating Units in the United States, 2005], Energy Information Administration, accessed April 2008.</ref>
===Decreasing power demand===
In November 2008, Duke announced plans to roll back on new power generation because of a decline in demand. The company will delay the construction of two gas-fired power plants in North Carolina and postpone the approval process for the a nuclear plant in South Carolina. The changes were announced along with a 65% decline in third quarter earnings and are expected to reduce capital costs by $200 million this year. The cost-cutting moves did not include any changes to Duke's heavily-opposed coal plant proposals.<ref>[http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2008/11/10/story2.html?b=1226293200^1728972 "Duke Energy taking steps to deal with slowing power needs,"] ''Charlotte Business Journal'', November 7, 2008.</ref>
In September 2010, Duke proposed closing seven coal-powered units due to new [[EPA]] regulations. But the utility continued to plan for a new nuclear plant, its first since the mid-1980s, to open in Gaffney, S.C., in about 2020. Duke is also building two gas-fired power plants, to open at Buck in late 2011 and at Dan River in late 2012.<ref name=bh/>
In 2006, Duke's 17 major coal-fired power plants emitted 103.8 million tons of CO<sub>2</sub> (1.7% of ''all'' U.S. CO<sub>2</sub> emissions) and 811,000 tons of SO<sub>2</sub> (5.4% of ''all'' U.S. SO<sub>2</sub> emissions).
In 2006, Duke's Gallagher plant emitted more tons of SO<sub>2</sub> per MWh than any other major power plant in the country; Wabash River ranked 6th in tons of SO<sub>2</sub> per MWh, and Cayuga ranked 8th.<ref name="DirtyKilowatts"/>
===Duke Energy's [[Gallagher Generating Station]] and Environmental Justice===
{{#evp:youtube|X_VQOQsyhhY|Resident and Nurse Rhoda Temple Morton's father worked at the Gallagher plant and died of cancer|right|210}}
Duke Energy's [[Gallagher Generating Station]] is located in the town of New Albany, across the river from Louisville, Kentucky. The majority of the African American population living within a 3 mile radius of the power plant are in an income bracket which is substantially lower than the rest of the community, raising issues around [[environmental justice and coal]]. Gallagher is among over 100 [[coal plants near residential areas]].<ref>Jacqui Patterson, [http://climatejusticeinitiative.wordpress.com/ "Day VIII Clearing the Air Road Tour—Hammond, IN—State Line Plant"] NAACP Climate Justice Initiative, April 21, 2010.</ref>
A 2011 report by NC Warn, [http://www.ncwarn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/NCW-NuclearClimate_web.pdf "New Nuclear Power is Ruining Climate Protection Efforts and Harming Customers"], argues that while Duke says it is moving to lower its use of coal, it is actually substituting a new 835 megawatt (MW) [[Cliffside Plant]] for 18 rarely used units with capacity totaling 1,600 MW. Twelve of those units are under 100 MW in capacity; four units were not used at all in the year ending May 31, 2011.<ref>Jim Warren, [http://www.ncwarn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/NCW-NuclearClimate_web.pdf "New Nuclear Power is Ruining Climate Protection Efforts and Harming Customers"] NC Warn, 2011 Report.</ref>
===Cliffside===
Duke used half of its $4.8 billion ratepayer-funded "modernization" program in North Carolina (approved in 2009) to add a new 800MW coal-fired unit at its Cliffside coal station.<ref>[http://quitcoal.org/blog/duke-can-save-carolinas-billions "Charting the Correction Course: A Clean Energy Pathway for Duke Energy,"] Greenpeace, 2012.</ref>
===Edwardsport===
In July 2009, Duke filed a proposal for a carbon dioxide storage project with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Duke would invest over $120 million to store a portion of the CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from its proposed [[Edwardsport Plant]] in Knox County, Indiana. The three-year project would attempt to store emissions in saline aquifers and in depleted oil and gas fields.
The experiment would result in an average 1 percent rate increase for customers between 2010 and 2013. The company is also applying for a federal grant to cover about half of the project's costs. If the project is successful, Duke will apply to capture and store the emissions on a permanent basis.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/07/06/daily12.html "Duke Energy files plans for carbon-storage study,"] ''Charlotte Business Journal,'' July 7, 2009.</ref>
==Citizen action==
[[Image:N15 polar bears.jpg|thumb|left|The two polar bears, immediately after their arrest for blockading the Duke Energy headquarters in Charlotte, NC, on Nov. 15, 2007.]]
===Nov. 15, 2007: Student blockade of Duke Energy headquarters===
On November 15, 2007, two Warren Wilson College students - dressed as polar bears - chained themselves to the door of Duke Energy's headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, in protest of Duke's plans to build the [[Cliffside Plant|Cliffside coal-fired power plant]] in western North Carolina. Several dozen people held a rally in support of their blockade, dressing as Santa Claus and elves and presenting a stocking full of coal to the company. The two students were arrested on charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct.<ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=11CF600A280DB150&p_docnum=6&s_dlid=DL0108012622505321732&s_ecproduct=SUB-FREE&s_ecprodtype=INSTANT&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2012%2F14%2F2015%2011%3A59%20PM&s_subexpires=12%2F14%2F2015%2011%3A59%20PM&s_username=FreeAccess&s_accountid=AC0107030117170502657&s_upgradeable=no Students Chain Selves to Duke], ''Raleigh News & Observer'', November 16, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2007/11/15/breaking-news-direct-action-at-duke-energy-over-proposed-coal-expansion/ Direct Action at Duke Energy Over Proposed Coal Expansion], It's Getting Hot In Here blog, November 15, 2007.</ref>
===April 1, 2008: Rising Tide/Earth First! occupation of Cliffside construction site===
On April 1, 2008, as part of the Fossil Fools International Day of Action, a group of North Carolina activists with Rising Tide and Earth First! locked themselves to bulldozers to prevent the construction of the [[Cliffside Plant|Cliffside coal-fired power plant]] proposed by Duke in western North Carolina. Others roped off the site with "Global Warming Crime Scene" tape, and held banners protesting the construction of the plant. Police used pain compliance holds and tasers to force the activists to unlock themselves from the construction equipment. Eight people were arrested.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0128806320080401 "Eight Climate Protesters Arrested at U.S. Coal Plant"], Reuters, April 1, 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.fossilfoolsdayofaction.org/2008/04/01/8-arrested-as-north-carolina-residents-shut-down-construction-at-cliffside-coal-plant/#more-64 "Eight Arrested as North Carolina Residents Shut Down Construction at Cliffside Coal Plant"], Fossil Fools Day blog, April 1, 2008.</ref>
===April 20, 2009: Hundreds protest in Charlotte, N.C. against Duke's proposed Cliffside plant===
Hundreds of people marched and rallied against [[Cliffside Plant|Cliffside]] in Charlotte, N.C. The demonstration was organized by more than a dozen environmental, faith-based, and social justice groups, which are calling on Duke and the state of North Carolina to cancel construction of the Cliffside plant. The plant, if built, would release 6 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, and would use coal extracted through [[Mountaintop removal|mountaintop removal]]. 44 activists were arrested.<ref>[http://www.powerpastcoal.org/article.php?id=152 "Hundreds March and 44 Arrested to Stop Cliffside Power Plant,"] Power Past Coal, April 21, 2009.</ref>
To see video of this protest, see [http://vimeo.com/4347727 Stop Cliffside]
===May 7, 2009: Activists protest Cliffside Plant at Duke Energy shareholder meeting in Charlotte, NC===
Activists dominated Duke Energy's annual shareholder meeting in Charlotte, NC. About 25 protesters gathered outside the company's headquarters, calling for Duke to cancel its proposed [[Cliffside Plant]]. Inside the meeting, activists who own shares of the company grilled CEO [[Jim Rogers (Duke Energy CEO)|Jim Rogers]] about the company's coal and nuclear investments.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2009/05/04/daily67.html "Coal debate highlights Duke meeting,"] ''Triangle Business Journal,'' May 8, 2009.</ref>
===November 30, 2009: Activists block delivery of generator to Cliffside coal plant in Greenville, SC===
Two protesters locked themselves to a 1.5 million pound generator being delivered to the [[Cliffside Plant]] in North Carolina. The activists vowed to prevent the generator from reaching the plant. Protesters also displayed a large banner reading "Stop Cliffside" from the top of the generator. More than 20 activists attended the protest; four were arrested. The action was organized by [[Rising Tide North America|Asheville Rising Tide]] and Croatan [[Earth First!]] as part of a national day of action with dozens of protests planned around the U.S.<ref>[http://www.risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/2009/11/30/citizens-block-shipment-fo-generator-to-cliffside-coal-plan/ "Citizens Block Shipment fo Generator to Cliffside Coal Plant,"] Rising Tide North America, November 30, 2009.</ref>
===May 5, 2011: Duke Energy shareholder meeting faces protests in Charlotte, NC===
About 50 demonstrators from [http://www.ncwarn.org/ N.C. Waste Awareness and Reduction Network] protested [[Duke Energy]] continued use of mountaintop removal coal at the company's shareholders meeting. The protests included street theater of a state "legislator" taking money from utility customers in chains. Another group of conservative protesters waved "Fire Jim Rogers" signs in opposition to the Duke CEO's attempt to bring the Democratic National Convention to Charlotte in 2012. Rogers later said that Duke had also tried to bring Republican conventions to the city.<ref>[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/05/05/2275373/critics-from-left-and-right-raise.html/ "Critics from left and right raise voices at Duke meet"], Bruce Henderson, Charlotte Observer, May 6, 2011.</ref>
===June 28, 2011: NC WARN warns of Duke's nuclear plans ===
North Carolina Waste Awareness and Reduction Network says the public is paying the price to advance an under-regulated industry that impedes other more efficient energy sources. <ref>Evan B. Kozierach[http://www.thetimesnews.com/articles/energy-45434-nuclear-watchdog.html "Nuclear energy watchdog touts alternative sources"] The Times News, June 28, 2011.</ref>
===Aug 12, 2011: EDF, N.C. sustainable energy biomass appeal ===
A state court ruled against the Environmental Defense Fund and the NC Sustainable Energy Association in appealing Duke's use of whole trees as "biomass" energy. The groups said that harvesting whole trees for fuel, instead of wood scraps and logging debris, would lead to environmentally damaging clear cutting. <ref>John Murawski [http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/12/1406528/duke-can-count-trees-as-biomass.html "Duke can count trees as 'biomass'"] Raleigh News & Observer, Aug. 12, 2011.</ref>
===May 3, 2012: Activists block shipment of mountaintop removal coal===
[[File:Marshall1.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2|Activists block tracks bringing mountaintop removal coal to Marshall Steam Plant.]]
[[File:Marshall2.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2|Activists "brand" coal trains bound for Marshall plant with Apple logo.]]
On May 3, activists protested mountaintop removal mining by locking themselves to train tracks, preventing coal train loads from entering Duke Energy's Marshall coal plant in North Carolina. The activists, affiliated with RAMPS, Katuah Earth First!, Greenpeace and Mountain Keepers said they would not leave until Duke agreed to end its use of mountaintop removal coal operations. The power burned in Marshall is used to power Apple's iCloud data center.<ref>[http://quitcoal.org/blog/breaking-activists-block-duke-coal-shipment-link-mountaintop-removal-icloud "Breaking: Activists Block Shipment of Mountain Top Removal Coal"] QuitCoal.org, May 3, 2012.</ref>
==Rate Hikes==
===Duke proposes rate increases to cover higher cost of coal===
In March 2009, Duke Energy Carolinas proposed a 5 percent increase on its power charges in North Carolina, to compensate the company for higher coal prices. The fuel-charge increase is separate from an upcoming Duke proposal for a general rate hike. The company estimates that the average customer bill would increase from approximately $87 per month to about $91 per month. Similar increases will be proposed in South Carolina in summer 2009.<ref>[http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/03/16/story7.html?b=1237176000^1793362 "Bills may rise as Duke pays more for coal,"] ''Charlotte Business Journal,'' March 13, 2009.</ref>
===Duke proposes rate increases to cover costs of expanding Cliffside plant===
In September 2009, the North Carolina Utilities Commission held a public hearing on Duke's proposed rate increase of 12.6 percent for its North Carolina customers. [[Duke Energy|Duke]] says the increases are necessary to recoup $4.8 billion in capital spending, which includes the amount spent to date on the [[Cliffside Plant|Cliffside expansion]]. The utility commission's Public Staff, which represents utility customers, is opposed to the increase, describing it as unjustified. About two dozen people spoke at the hearing, most of whom were residents opposed to the rate hike and to the new Cliffside plant. The commission is scheduled to begin hearing expert testimony on Duke's rate hike request ion October 19.<ref>Bruce Henderson, [http://connect.sierraclub.org:80/post/William9/blog/charlotte_speakers_oppose_duke_rate_hike_and_cliffside_coalf.html?cons_id=&ts=1273347436&signature=29bda5d60e52c06f3e4e7a20679655df "Speakers oppose rate hike, coal-fired plant,"] ''Charlotte Observer,'' September 10, 2009.</ref>
On July 1, 2011, Duke proposed a 15 percent rate increase, to go into effect in February of 2011, to cover costs of the Cliffside coal-fired power plant in North Carolina, along with a new natural gas-fired power plant at the Buck facility in Rowan County, North Carolina, and a new hydroelectric powerhouse at the Bridgewater facility in Burke County, North Carolina. <ref> [http://www.xe.com/news/2011-07-01%2016:36:00.0/2004085.htm?c=1&t= "Duke seeks 15 pct power rate hike in North Carolina"] Reuters, July 1, 2011.</ref> <ref> Bruce Henderson [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/07/01/2421312/duke-seeks-15-percent-nc-rate.html "Duke Energy seeks 15 percent N.C. rate hike"] Charlotte Observer, July 19, 2011. </ref> Public hearings on the rate hike on October 12 filled a Charlotte NC hearing room. Many people protested the impact of higher rates, while others insisted that Duke wants more money for the wrong reasons: to build nuclear power plants and continue burning fossil fuels. <ref> Bruce Henderson, [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/10/12/2684474/crowd-jams-hearing-on-duke-rate.html Crowd jams hearing on Duke Energy's proposed rate hike"] Charlotte Observer, Oct. 12, 2011.</ref> Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, Carolinas Clean Air Coalition, and NC WARN were among organizations with Charlotte chapters that were active in preparing for the hearing.<ref>Sally Kneidel, [http://veggierevolution.blogspot.com/2011/10/crowd-jams-hearing-for-duke-energy-rate.html "Crowd overflows hearing for Duke Energy rate hike: more coal and nuclear at stake,"] Veggie Revolution, Oct. 12, 2011.</ref>
===Duke Ohio to switch from regulated utility rates to market rates by 2012===
In November 2010, Duke Energy applied to convert its regulated utility rates to market rates in stages starting in 2012, with fully market-based rates by the middle of 2014. As part of that proposal, Duke planned to transfer all its Ohio power plants out of the utility into an unregulated affiliate. The move is designed to compete with Ohio's mix of regulated and unregulated power producers. Ohio does not require departing customers from regulated companies to pay any fee for transferring, as do many states, to compensate regulated utilities for power plants they built on the expectation of continued demand.<ref>John Downey, [http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/2010/11/duke-energy-wants-market-rates-in-ohio.html "Duke Energy wants market rates in Ohio"] Charlotte Business Journal, Nov. 15, 2010.</ref>
===Rate hikes driven by rising fuel costs===
An analysis by the NC Sustainable Energy Association shows that residential electricity rate increases proposed by Duke Energy and Progress Energy, and/or approved by the NC Utilities Commission over the past decade, were driven by rising fuel costs for conventional power generation rather than by investments in and purchase of renewable energy and energy efficiency. <ref>[http://energync.org/blog/ncsea-news/2011/11/01/nc-sustainable-energy-association-releases-electricity-rate-impact-report/ "Understanding the impact of electrical generation choices on North Carolina residential electricity rates,"] NC Sustainable Energy Association, Nov. 2011.</ref>
==Environmental Record==
===Coal ash===
In October 2012 four environmental groups asked North Carolina’s Environmental Management Commission for a ruling to make Duke Energy clean up groundwater contamination found near the company's [[coal ash]] ponds at 14 coal-fired power plants. The power plants include Duke’s Riverbend and Allen plants on the Catawba River west of Charlotte, and its Marshall plant on Lake Norman. State officials say contamination has been found at all 14 plants, and that they are working to trace its sources.<ref>Bruce Henderson, [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/10/10/3589356/groups-sue-to-force-groundwater.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy "Environmental groups petition state over coal ash near plants,"] www.charlotteobserver.com, Oct. 10, 2012.</ref>
===Power lines===
In August 2010, Duke Energy hired a contractor to spray herbicide to protect its power lines along the the Shopton Road intersection out of Charlotte on N.C. 49, leading to stunted, dead pine trees. Duke Energy spokesman Jason Walls said the company performs regular maintenance on all of its rights of way to ensure quality electrical service. The company used herbicides on the N.C. 49 pines: "Those trees have been maintained as part of our vegetation maintenance - this is part of routine maintenance," he said.<ref>Katie Oliver, [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/08/12/1616463/nc-49-pines-dead-under-power-lines.html#ixzz0wp8Vq6qP "N.C. 49 pines dead under power lines"] charlotteobserver.com, August 12, 2010.</ref>
===[[Gallagher Generating Station]]===
On December 22, 2009, the [[EPA]] announced the agency had reached a settlement with [[Duke Energy]] for [[New Source Review]] (NSR) violations of the [[Clean Air Act]] at Duke’s [[Gallagher Generating Station]]. A jury had found Duke liable for NSR violations at the plant, and the settlement obviated the need for a remedy trial, which had been scheduled for early 2010.
The settlement requires Duke Energy to repower Units 1 and 3 at Gallagher with natural gas or shut them down, and to install [[scrubbers]] at Units 2 and 4, reducing [[Sulfur dioxide and coal|sulfur dioxide]] emissions 86 percent when compared to 2008 emissions. Duke will also pay a $1.75 million penalty and spend $6.25 million on various environmental mitigation projects.<ref>[http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/2520F12F7372FE1D85257694005AB7A7 "Duke Energy to Spend $93 Million to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations"] EPA Press Release, December 22, 2009.</ref>
===Duke ordered to shut down three coal-fired units in Indiana===
On May 29, 2009, U.S. District Judge Larry J. McKinney ordered Duke to shut down three units of the [[Wabash River Generating Station]] in Indiana for violations of the federal Clean Air Act. In 2008, a jury found that Duke-owned Cinergy had modified the facilities without installing best-available pollution control technology. In his ruling, Judge McKinney cited increased [[Sulfur dioxide and coal|sulfur dioxide emissions]] from the units and gave a deadline of September 30, 2009 for closing them. Duke's Chief Legal Officer Marc Manly said the company was disappointed with the court's decision to "accelerate the shutdown." The units, which supply 39 percent of the station's power, were slated to be taken off line in 2012.<ref>Andrew M. Harris, [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=awcG5uWwJwOA&refer=us "Duke Energy Ordered to Shut Indiana Coal-Fired Units,"] Bloomberg, May 29, 2009.</ref>
===Clean Air Act===
In 1999 the [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] commenced an enforcement action against Duke Energy for failure to comply with the [[Clean Air Act]]. Duke asserted that EPA regulations under the law were arbitrarily changed over the course of 25 years. Environmental groups asserted that Duke was using loopholes in the law to increase emissions. Initially, Duke prevailed at the trial court level, but in 2006 the case was argued before the U.S. [[Supreme Court]] (''Environmental Defense v. Duke Energy Corp.'' (05-848)). The Court unanimously ruled on April 2, 2007, against Duke Energy and in favor of the environmental groups.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/jan-june07/scotus_04-02.html Supreme Court Says EPA Can Regulate Greenhouse Gases]</ref>
===Report: Duke's nuclear plants not replacing coal===
A 2011 report by NC Warn, [http://www.ncwarn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/NCW-NuclearClimate_web.pdf "New Nuclear Power is Ruining Climate Protection Efforts and Harming Customers"], argues that companies like Duke have promoted the utilities’ commitment to lead the way to a “low carbon” future by building more nuclear power plants, but instead of replacing their coal-burning plants with nuclear power, the companies "plan to keep operating most or all of their coal plants indefinitely, while adding more nuclear (and fossil fuel) plants so they can expand electricity sales both within and outside the region. This business model is based largely on the delusion that the U.S. economy will someday return to the unsustainable growth that created the combined economic-ecological predicament we now face."
The report states that "Duke Energy Carolinas plans to add 7,723 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity by 2030, a net addition of 36.5%, while continuing to use its large coal-fired units. Over 2,200 MW would come from two Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear units at Duke’s proposed Lee Nuclear Station. Because Duke’s sales have been relatively flat since long before the recession, CEO Jim Rogers continues to pursue an aggressive program to expand sales inside Duke’s service area" to "force current customers to subsidize new [nuclear plants]; Duke is appealing the N.C. Utilities Commission’s denial of that expansion plan."<ref>Jim Warren, [http://www.ncwarn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/NCW-NuclearClimate_web.pdf "New Nuclear Power is Ruining Climate Protection Efforts and Harming Customers"] NC Warn, 2011 Report.</ref>
Phone: (800) 653-5307<br>[http://www.duke-energy.com www.duke-energy.com]===Featured SourceWatch Articles on Fix the Debt===
{{reflist|2}} ===Articles===*John Blair, [http:<references//www.bloomingtonalternative.com/articles/2010/12/11/10615 "Duke scandal is business as usual in Indiana"] The Bloomington Alternative, Dec. 11, 2010.*David R. Baker And Zachary Coile, "[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/23/CEOCLIMATE.TMP Lobbying effort signals corporate climate change: Business leaders urge reduction of greenhouse gases]," ''San Francisco Chronicle'', January 23, 2007.>
<ref>[https://www.duke-energy.com/our-company/investors/corporate-governance/board/board-of-directors Board], Duke Energy, accessed May 2, 2020.</ref>
In 2011, Duke Energy owns and operates 36reported $14,000 MW of base-load and peak generation that it distributes to its 4 529 million customersin total revenues.<ref name="abt">[http://www.duke-energy.com/about-us/default.asp/ "AboutAnnualReport"], ''Duke Energy'', Accessed February 13, 2013.</ref> Duke Energy's service territory covers 47,000 square miles with 106,000 miles of distribution lines.<ref>http://www.duke-energy.com/pdfs/Oct_fact_sheet_rev.pdf</ref> Almost all of Duke Energy's Midwest generation comes from coal, natural gas or oil, while half of its Carolinas generation comes from its nuclear power plants. During 2006, Duke Energy generated 148,798,332 MWh of electrical energy.<ref name="abt"></ref> Duke Energy Generation Services (DEGS), a subsidiary of Duke Energy, specializes in the development, ownership and operation of various generation facilities throughout the United States. This segment of the company operates 6,600 MW of generation. 240 MW of wind generation are under construction and 1,500 additional MW of wind generation are in planning stages.<ref>[http://www.de-gs.com/degs-overview.asp Overview - Duke Energy], Duke website.</ref>
__TOC__
==Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council== Pete Peterson'''Duke Energy''' has been a corporate funder of the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC), the [[ALEC State Chairmen|state corporate co-chair]] of Indiana and South Carolina <ref>American Legislative Exchange Council, s "Solutions for Fix the States,Debt" 38th Annual Meeting agenda, on file with CMD, August 3-6, 2011</ref> and a member of ALEC's [[Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force]]<ref>American Legislative Exchange Council, [http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7BFB3C17E2-CDD1-4DF6-92BE-BD4429893665%7D/eea_35-day_mailingstfs11%20Ohio.pdf Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Task Force Meeting 2010 States and Nation Policy Summit December 2, 2010 Meeting Minutes], organizational document, March 31, 2011, p. 43, obtained and released by Common Cause April 2012</ref>. See [[ALEC Corporations]] for more.==
{{about_ALEC}}
==Negative tax rate==
[[Image:Public Campaign Profit Taxes & Lobbying Corp. Chart.png|right]]
In December 2011, the organization [[Public Campaign]] published a report called "For Hire: Lobbyists or the 99%?" on corporations that have paid more on lobbying than on federal taxes. Duke ranked tenth (see chart), reporting nearly $5.5 billion in U.S. profits from 2008 to 2010, and collecting $216 million from the U.S Treasury (tax rate of -3.9%) while spending over $17 million on lobbying,<ref name="PublicCampaign">Public Campaign, [http://publicampaign.org/sites/default/files/ReportTaxDodgerLobbyingDec6.pdf For Hire: Lobbyists or the 99%? How Corporations Pay More for Lobbyists Than in Taxes], organizational report, December 2011</ref> with its tax subsidies aided by the company's 27 overseas tax havens.<ref>Public Interest Research Group and Citizens for Tax Justice, [http://www.uspirg.org/uploads/e3/90/e39040a4efff6f31951212ef330255e0/USP-RepTax-Report.pdf "Representation Without Taxation: Fortune 500 Companies that Spend Big on Lobbying and Avoid Taxes,"] Public Interest Research Group and Citizens for Tax Justice, January 2012 Report</ref>
==Existing coal-fired power plants==
Duke had 70 coal-fired generating stations in 2005, with 18,591 MW of capacity. Here is a list of Duke's coal power plants with capacity over 100 MW:<ref name="EIA"/><ref name="DirtyKilowatts">Environmental Integrity Project, [http://www.dirtykilowatts.org/Dirty_Kilowatts2007.pdf Dirty Kilowatts: America’s Most Polluting Power Plants], July 2007.</ref><ref>[http://carma.org/dig Dig Deeper], Carbon Monitoring for Action database, accessed June 2008.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
| align="center" | IN || align="center" | Knox || align="center" | 1949, 1951 || align="right" | 109 MW || align="right" | 680,000 tons || align="right" | 8,281 tons
|}
==Proposed coal unit closures==
===Edwardsport===
Duke Energy closed the [[Edwardsport Generating Station (existing)]] in spring 2010, and will begin demolishing the structure by October 2011. Company spokesman Lew Middleton said Duke will turn the site of the old plant in a storage area for burned coal, or slag, produced by Duke's new coal-gasification plant - the [[Edwardsport Plant]] - planned for Fall 2012.<ref name=ap>[http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/47602--duke-to-begin-razing-indiana-s-oldest-coal-plant "Duke to begin razing Indiana's oldest coal plant"] AP, Sep. 26, 2011.</ref>
* [[Cliffside Plant]]
* [[Edwardsport Plant]]
==Emissions==
{{Template:Violation_Tracker}}
===Carbon dioxide===
Duke Energy accounted for 3.4% of all US electricity sector carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2011.<ref>[http://quitcoal.org/blog/duke-can-save-carolinas-billions "Charting the Correction Course: A Clean Energy Pathway for Duke Energy,"] Greenpeace, 2012.</ref>
Source: [http://www.catf.us/coal/problems/power_plants/existing/Health_Impacts-annual-of_Existing_Plants.xls "Health Impacts - annual - of Existing Plants,"] Clean Air Task Force Excel worksheet, available under "Data Annex" at [http://www.catf.us/coal/problems/power_plants/existing/ "Death and Disease from Power Plants,"] Clean Air Task Force. Note: This data includes the following plants owned by Duke Energy and subsidiaries Cincinnati Gas & Electric and PSI Energy: [[Beckjord Generating Station|Beckjord]], [[Miami Fort Station|Miami Fort]], [[East Bend Generating Station|East Bend]], [[Zimmer Generating Station|W.H. Zimmer]], [[G.G. Allen Steam Plant|G.G. Allen]]; [[Buck Steam Station|Buck]], [[Cliffside Plant (existing)|Cliffside]], [[Dan River Steam Station|Dan River]], [[Riverbend Steam Station|Riverbend]], [[W.S. Lee Steam Station|W.S. Lee]], [[Marshall Steam Station|Marshall]], [[Belews Creek Steam Station|Belews Creek]], [[Gibson Generating Station|Gibson]], [[Wabash River Generating Station|Wabash River]], [[Cayuga Generating Station|Cayuga]], and [[Gallagher Generating Station|Gallagher]].
==Coal waste==
! align="center" | [[Riverbend Steam Station ]] || align="center" | Primary Pond || align="center" | Mount Holly, NC
|}
===Dan River Spill===
'''For more information, go to ''[[Duke Energy Dan River Steam Station Ash Spill February 2014]]'''''
{{#ev:youtube|wnoxcgwMtU0|300|right|This is what coal ash looks like: Dan River spill|frame}}
On Feb 3, 2014, Duke Energy said 50,000 to 82,000 tons of coal ash and up to 27 million gallons of water were released from a pond at its retired [[Dan River Steam Station]] into the Dan River, and were still flowing. A 48-inch stormwater pipe beneath Duke's unlined ash pond broke, and water and ash from the 27-acre pond drained into the pipe.<ref>[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/02/03/4661193/duke-energy-plant-reports-coal.html#.UvE0qvYntXi#storylink=cpy "Duke Energy plant reports coal-ash spill,"] www.charlotteobserver.com, Feb 3, 2014.</ref>
According to EcoWatch, the coal ash spill appears to be the third-largest in U.S. history. It was discovered after a security guard noted the coal ash pond was running lower than usual, meaning much of it had already drained into the Dan River. Residents of Danville, VA withdraw drinking water just six miles downstream of the spill site.<ref>Donna Lisenby, [http://ecowatch.com/2014/02/04/duke-energy-coal-ash-spill/ "Breaking: Duke Energy Coal Ash Spill Pollutes River and Threatens Drinking Water,"] EcoWatch, February 4, 2014.</ref>
===Study shows Duke's N.C. coal ash ponds are contaminating groundwater===
===Groups report coal waste leaks at Allen and Riverbend===
In November 2012 the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation informed state and federal environmental regulators they discovered four seepage points from coal ash ponds, one from Duke's Allen Steam Station into Lake Wylie and three into Mountain Island Lake from Duke's Riverbend Steam Station. Lake Wylie provides drinking water for York County and Belmont, while Mountain Island Lake provides drinking water for Mecklenburg County.<ref>John Marks, [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/11/09/3654433/group-reports-coal-ash-leaking.html "Group reports coal ash leaking into Lake Wylie,"] Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, Nov. 20, 2012.</ref>
==Duke's nuclear stations==
Duke Energy remains committed to nuclear power, despite the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, CEO Jim Rogers told company shareholders <ref> PR Newswire [http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duke-energy-remains-committed-to-nuclear-power-ceo-rogers-tells-shareholders-121337748.html "Duke Energy Remains Committed to Nuclear Power, CEO Rogers Tells Shareholderscompany shareholders"] May 5, 2011</ref> and University of Richmond students <ref> Peter Bacque, [http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2011/apr/19/tdbiz01-duke-energy-ceo-says-us-needs-to-develop-n-ar-981383/ "Duke Energy CEO says U.S. needs to develop new energy technologies"] ''Richmond Times Dispatch,'' April 19, 2011. </ref> in late April and early May, 2011.
==Subsidiaries==
==Reports==
===Renewables===
According to the 2012 Greenpeace report, [http://quitcoal.org/blog/duke-can-save-carolinas-billions "Charting the Correction Course: A Clean Energy Pathway for Duke Energy,"] Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas could save $108 billion, or 57% of their total bills, over the next 20 years by choosing solar and wind energy. The savings are achieved by using energy efficiency to its fullest degree and sourcing 33% of Duke Energy’s power from renewable energy by 2020, while phasing out coal by 2020 and nuclear energy by 2026.<ref>[http://quitcoal.org/blog/duke-can-save-carolinas-billions "Charting the Correction Course: A Clean Energy Pathway for Duke Energy,"] Greenpeace, 2012.</ref>
===Duke's nuclear plants not replacing coal===A 2011 report by NC Warn, [http://www.ncwarn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/NCW-NuclearClimate_web.pdf "New Nuclear Power is Ruining Climate Protection Efforts and Harming Customers"], argues that companies like Duke have promoted the utilities’ commitment to lead the way to a “low carbon” future by building more nuclear power plants, but instead of replacing their coal-burning plants with nuclear power, the companies "plan to keep operating most or all of their coal plants indefinitely, while adding more nuclear (and fossil fuel) plants so they can expand electricity sales both within and outside the region. This business model is based largely on the delusion that the U.S. economy will someday return to the unsustainable growth that created the combined economic-ecological predicament we now face." The report states that "Duke Energy Carolinas plans to add 7,723 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity by 2030, a net addition of 36.5%, while continuing to use its large coal-fired units. Over 2,200 MW would come from two Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear units at Duke’s proposed Lee Nuclear Station. Because Duke’s sales have been relatively flat since long before the recession, CEO Jim Rogers continues to pursue an aggressive program to expand sales inside Duke’s service area" to "force current customers to subsidize new [nuclear plants]; Duke is appealing the N.C. Utilities Commission’s denial of that expansion plan."<ref>Jim Warren, [http://www.ncwarn.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/NCW-NuclearClimate_web.pdf "New Nuclear Power is Ruining Climate Protection Efforts and Harming Customers"] NC Warn, 2011 Report.</ref> ==Personnel== ''Board of Directors''*[[Michael G. Browning]], [[Annette Clayton]], [[Theodore F. Craver, Jr.]], [[Robert M. Davis]], [[Daniel R. DiMicco]], [[Nicholas C. Fanandakis]], [[Lynn J. Good]], [[John T. Herron]], [[William E. Kennard]], [[E. Marie McKee]], [[Charles W. Moorman IV]], [[Marya M. Rose]], [[Carlos A. Saladrigas]], [[Thomas E. Skains]], [[William E. Webster, Jr. ]] <ref>[https://www.duke-energy.com/our-company/investors/corporate-governance/board/board-of-directors Board], Duke Energy, accessed May 2, 2020.</ref> ===Senior Executive Management===
As of February, 2013: <ref>Duke Energy, "[http://www.duke-energy.com/about-us/leaders.asp Our Leaders"], organizational website, accessed February 15, 2013</ref>
*[[James E. Rogers]]: President and Chief Executive Officer. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the [[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]].<ref>U.S. Chamber of Commerce, [http://www.uschamber.com/about/board/board-directors "Board of Directors"], U.S. Chamber of Commerce website, accessed July 2011.</ref>
* [[Lynn J. Good]]: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
* [[Dhiaa M. Jamil]]: Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer
===Board Of Directors===
As of February, 2013: <ref>Duke Energy, "[http://www.duke-energy.com/corporate-governance/board-of-directors/board.asp Board of Directors"], organizational website, accessed February 15, 2013</ref>
*[[James E. Rogers]], - Chairman, President & CEOand Chief Executive Officer, Duke Energy Corporation*[[William Barnet III]], - Chairman, President & CEO, Barnet Companyand Chief Executive Officer, Inc. & Barnet Development Corp. *[[G. Alex Bernhardt, Sr.]], - Chairman & CEO, Bernhardt Furniture Company*[[Michael G. Browning]], - Chairman & and President, Browning Investments, Inc.*[[Harris E. DeLoach, Jr.]], - Chairman & CEOand Chief Executive Officer, Sonoco Products Company*[[Daniel R. DiMicco]], - Chairman, President & CEOand Chief Executive Officer , Nucor Corp.Corporation*[[John H. Forsgren]], - Retired Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President & CFOand Chief Financial Officer, Northeast Utilities*[[Ann Maynard Gray]], - Former Vice President, ABC, Inc.; former President, Diversified Publishing Group of ABC, Inc.*[[James H. Hance, Jr.]], - Retired Vice Chairman & CFOand Chief Financial Officer, Bank of America Corp.*[[James B. Hyler, Jr.]], - Retired Vice Chairman & COOand Chief Operating Officer, First Citizens Bank*[[E. Marie McKee]], - President, Coming Corning Museum of Glass*[[E. James Reinsch]], - Retired Senior Vice President & and Partner, Bechtel Group*[[James T. Rhodes]], - Retired Chairman, President & CEOand Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations*[[James E. Rogers]], Chairman, President & CEO, Duke Energy Corp.*[[Carlos A. Saladrigas]], - Chairman, Regis HR Group*[[Philip R. Sharp]], - President, Resources for the Future
==Contact detailsResources and articles==526 S. Church Street<ref name="qrtrs"></ref><br>Charlotte, North Carolina 28202<br>
* [[Portal:Fix the Debt|Fix the Debt Portal Page]]** [[Fix the Debt's Leadership]]** [[Fix the Debt's Partner Groups]]** [[Fix the Debt's State Chapters]]** [[Fix the Debt's Lobbyists]]** [[Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget|Fix the Debt's Parent Group]]** [https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title==External links==Category:Fix_the_Debt_Corporations Fix the Debt's Corporations]===Related SourceWatch articles===** [[Pete Peterson]]**[[Clean coal - quotable quotesPeter G. Peterson Foundation]]**[[Climate Action PartnershipAmerica Speaks]]**[[Global Climate CoalitionSimpson-Bowles Commission]]**[[North Carolina and coalErskine Bowles]]**[[Ohio and coalAlan Simpson]]**[[Nuclear BoostersSocial Security]]**[[Nuclear Energy InstituteMedicare]]**[[Paul AndersonMedicaid]]*[[Global warmingFred J. Fowler]]
===References===
[[categoryCategory:United States]][[Category:Real Economy Project]][[Category:CorporationsFix the Debt]][[Category:United StatesFix the Debt Corporations]][[Category:Nuclear PRCoal Issues]][[Category:Nuclear powerWater]][[Category:EnvironmentEnergy]][[Category:Power companies and agencies in the United StatesALEC Exposed]]{{Wikipedia}}
