Duke Energy

Shearon Harris Shutdown & Investigation

Isaac-Davy Aronson and Frank Stasio — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:18:43 +0000

Federal regulators are investigating the Shearon Harris nuclear plant near Raleigh. They want to know how a flaw in the reactor vessel went undetected or unreported for over a year. News & Observer reporter John Murawski fills in host Frank Stasio on the latest.

Changes At Duke Energy Substations Crack Down On Copper Thieves

Will Michaels — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:10:08 +0000

Duke Energy Progress has completed upgrades to substations in Durham and Greensboro designed to cut down on copper thefts.

The company has changed the wire it uses, added security cameras and installed more lighting to keep thieves away. Authorities have reported frequent copper thefts from the Parkwood Tie Station in Durham and the Main Substation in Greensboro. The metal goes for nearly $3.00 a pound in resale.

Duke Energy Assesses 1700-Acre Chatham Co. Tract For Business Potential

Catherine Brand — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:38:36 +0000

A large parcel of undeveloped land near Siler City has been chosen by Duke Energy to take part in the utility's Site Readiness Program. The utility selected a total of 17 sites in the Carolinas, ten of which are in North Carolina. Duke Energy's Jeff Brooks says the 1700-acre Chatham County tract will be assessed for its potential to lure large industry and manufacturing to the area and calls it a "win-win" for everyone.

Greensboro Awaits First Draft Of New Tree Ordinance

Jeff Tiberii — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:52:05 +0000

Some residents in Greensboro are eagerly awaiting the details of a proposed tree ordinance. A city council subcommittee finished the draft for the ordinance this week, but it has not yet been made public.

The new measure comes in response to a dispute between property owners and Duke Energy over the company’s practice of cutting trees. Nancy Vaughan is an at-large City Council member who helped write the ordinance draft.

"We were able to protect private property as well as public right of way," says Vaughan.

Progress Energy A Top Producer Of Solar Power Nationwide

Jeff Tiberii — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:01:00 +0000

The North Carolina utility company Progress Energy is among the nations leaders in solar production. Last year the utility company produced almost 70 megawatts of new solar generating capacity. The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) says that’s the 8^th highest output of all U.S. utility companies.

New Emissions Standards Could Make Natural Gas Cheaper Than Coal

Isaac-Davy Aronson — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 21:13:37 +0000

A new study from Duke University says new air quality standards could spur a shift away from coal power to natural gas as a means of generating electricity. A natural gas boom has already made it almost as cheap as coal to turn into electricity, but when researchers factored in new emissions standards from the Environmental Protection Agency, they found that most coal electricity will become as expensive as gas, even if gas prices rise.

Greensboro Resident Still Upset Over Tree Trimming

Jeff Tiberii — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Greensboro residents are upset with Duke Energy again over its tree trimming practices in the city, this time because of pruning around major transmission lines. Concerned locals are taking to Facebook and asking local leaders to do more.

Duke Energy's Plan For The Next 20 Years

Will Michaels — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:25:28 +0000

A series of hearings begins today to examine how Duke Energy wants to invest in power sources over the next 20 years. The state Utilities Commission is set to hear from the utility and consumer advocacy groups about its annual Integrated Resource Plan. Duke Energy spokesman Mike Hughes says the utility plans to open new plants to keep up with North Carolina's population growth.

"Even if the per-household use of electricity is declining, the overall use of electricity is increasing," Hughes says.

Duke Energy To Close Controversial Nuke Plant

Gurnal Scott — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:02:32 +0000

Duke Energy officials have decided to retire a controversial nuclear facility in Florida. They say it will be more cost effective to shut down the Crystal River facility than to repair it. Regulatory leaders in North Carolina and Florida discussed Crystal River's future during the merger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy. Spokesman Mike Hughes says the utility used a repair scenario analysis to make the decision.

Caution Around The Wires: New Greensboro Tree Ordinance Seeks To Please Residents And Utility

Jeff Tiberii — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 05:12:54 +0000

The first of three City Council subcommittee meetings takes place Monday morning as lawmakers begin drafting a new tree ordinance for the city. Strong turnout is expected from residents, many of who were outraged last month after Duke Energy cut down dozens of trees in residential neighborhoods.