NC Utilities Commission

Progress Reaches Tentative Deal To Cut Rate Hikes

Will Michaels — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:14:35 +0000

Progress Energy has reached a tentative deal with the Public Staff on the state Utilities Commission to reduce its request for a rate increase. The agreement allows a 4.7 percent increase in June, then raises that to 5.7 percent next year. Progress filed for an 11 percent increase in October. Public Staff executive director Robert Gruber says it's a fair deal.

"What do they actually need in order to be able to operate reliably and attract investors? You have to compromise that need with the impact on consumers," Gruber says.

400 Acres Of Solar Panels Could Cover Duplin County

Will Michaels — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:05:10 +0000

A North Carolina renewable energy company says it plans to build a large solar farm in Duplin County. Strata Solar announced yesterday it's developing 400 acres of land for solar panels with a capacity of 100 Megawatts. It's one of the largest solar farms in production on the east coast. Strata CEO Markus Wilhelm says his company will file its plans with the state Utilities Commission by the end of the month.

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.

Group Says 'Cogeneration' Could Save Energy

Gurnal Scott — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:50:29 +0000

Energy watchdog group NC WARN is asking state utilities commissioners to look at an alternative way for companies to generate electrical power. NC WARN sent a report to commissioners outlining a process called "cogeneration” that allows businesses to use an on-site turbine to generate electricity and capture escaping heat. The group's report says doing that can drop the rate of wasted energy from 55 percent to as low as 20 percent.

Utilities Commission Approves Settlement With Duke Energy

Gurnal Scott — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 22:10:00 +0000

State regulators have accepted the terms of a settlement with Duke Energy over its merger with Progress Energy.

The utility commission's vote was unanimous on the agreement terms announced last week. Duke Energy will move ahead with changes that include Jim Rogers' retirement as C-E-O. He plans to spend another year running the company But spokesman Tom Williams says Rogers could step away sooner.

Attorney General's Office Challenges Duke Rate Hike

Jessica Jones — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:40:00 +0000

The state attorney general's office is going before the state Supreme Court to challenge a rate increase for Duke Energy.

State Utilities Commission Hires Chicago Law Firm

Gurnal Scott — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Some new legal minds will be taking a look at the controversial Duke Energy-Progress Energy merger.

Ousted Duke Energy CEO Bill Johnson Speaks

Leoneda Inge — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The North Carolina Utilities Commission spent hours yesterday questioning ousted Duke Energy CEO Bill Johnson. The former Progress Energy leader says he was stunned by the controversial turn of events that transpired once the two companies merged.

Edward Finley: There were no issues with respect to who would be the president and who would be the CEO.

Bill Johnson: No, there were a lot of interesting questions and issues in the hearings, but that was not one of them.

State Regulators Consider Duke-Progress Merger

Gurnal Scott — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 10:10:00 +0000

The decision to permit a Duke Energy-Progress Energy merger in now in the hands of state regulators.

Gurnal Scott: North Carolina Utilities Commission chairman Ed Finley was non-committal after yesterday's hearing.

Apple To Build Large Fuel Cell To Power N.C. Data Center

Gurnal Scott — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Apple Incorporated has the go-ahead to provide power for its new data center in western North Carolina.