Duke CEO says utility avoiding LGBT law fight

By EMERY P. DALESIO
AP Business Writer

CARY, NC (AP) – The CEO of Duke Energy Corp. says the utility is staying out of the fight over North Carolina’s law limiting protections for LGBT people because its business is regulated by state officials.

The largest U.S. electricity company has stayed out of the business backlash against the law known as House Bill 2. The NCAA and the Atlantic Coast Conference this week decided to withdraw championship competitions from North Carolina, saying the law allows discrimination against LGBT people.

CEO Lynn Good said in an interview with The Associated Press that the company is committed to diversity, but that she’s in a regulated industry and responsible for keeping the lights on.

The commission setting the company’s North Carolina electricity rates is appointed by the governor and confirmed by state legislators.

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