Public hearing on North Carolina Carbon Plan held in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Some Duke Energy customers voiced their thoughts about a plan to reduce North Carolina’s carbon emissions.

Monday’s hearing was the third of four in-person public hearings held about the state’s Carbon Plan.

Dozens of Duke Energy customers, including Nathan Dorn, spoke out against the company’s proposed plan, particularly the use of natural gas plants.

“And so I don’t think the plan is good to meet our emissions reductions goals now or in the future,” Dorn said. “And I’m also concerned about the fact that in the future, around 2050, these plants when they have to be retired, when they’re eventually replaced by renewable technologies, that customers like myself and other people will have to pay for those facilities to shut down.”

The first Carbon plan was proposed by Duke Energy in 2022 with the state’s Utilities Commission conducting its first 2-year update.

Duke Energy spokesperson Bill Norton said the plan includes replacing coal plants with natural gas plants and increasing solar and wind energy use.

“You’ll also hear customers advocating for solar, some advocating for wind,” Norton said. “Offshore wind is certainly an interesting topic for the commission right now. So we’re waiting for the commission’s feedback on that as well.”

The state calls for a 70% carbon emissions reduction in the state by 2030, but the state can move that deadline to 2033 or 2035 depending on what the commission decides.

The state also calls for complete carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Utilities Commission will make its next decisions about the plan by December 31st.