[Durham INC] Duke Energy rate hike to pay for their coal ash mess

[Pat Carstensen]

I thought this effort to enlist neighborhoods in opposing the rate hike would be of interest to some readers of the list-serve.


Duke Energy is asking its North Carolina customers to pay more than 200 additional dollars a year in rate hikes. Why? To pay for their 2014 Dan River Coal Ash spill, eight dirty coal ash sites that have been neglected for over 40 years, failed nuclear power plants, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline AND for the bottled water residents have been forced to drink for over 1000 days because their water is so contaminated from Duke Energy’s mess. On top of it all, Durham was denied a public hearing for citizens to provide comment.


So what are we going to do? We want to have #BlackOutDukeEnergy actions and events in communities throughout Durham in early 2018 to show that Durham will be heard no matter what. Are you interested in attending an event or helping organize one in your community? Then fill out this survey here,<https://goo.gl/forms/qKAO7IScd0xa3OeH2> and distribute it to your networks. Questions? Email jillian.riley at sierraclub.org<mailto:jillian.riley at sierraclub.org>


Thanks!


Here is the "fact sheet"


Fast Facts: Duke Energy Carolinas Rate Hikes

  *   Duke Energy Carolinas is seeking approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission of a $647 million increase, raising residential electric rates by 16.7% or about $18.72 per month for a typical residential customer. Residential rates will go up more than industrial or commercial rates, putting the burden on North Carolina families.

  *   More than 30% of this increase will come in the form of a higher fixed monthly charge, which Duke wants to raise from $11.80 to $17.79 per month. The fixed charge does not depend on the amount of electricity used each month, thus creating a disproportionate burden on customers who typically consume less electricity, including low-income folks and those who have invested in energy efficiency measures.



What is it for?

  *   Coal ash cleanup: Despite decades of mismanagement of coal ash that has resulted in the contamination of lakes, rivers, and drinking water supplies as well as a guilty plea by Duke regarding criminal violations of environmental, Duke seeks to shift the estimated $8.7 billion it will cost to clean up its coal ash mess away from the Company and its shareholders and onto the general public. This is unacceptable, and the “blank check” Duke is asking for from customers is unprecedented! The Public Staff (who advocates on consumers’ behalf to the NC Utilities Commission) has criticized sister company Duke Energy Progress’ proposal to do this, saying strict regulations were put in place as a direct result of Duke’s own bad behavior and shareholders should have to split the cost.



  *   $135 million/year for 5 years for money it spent cleaning up its coal ash mess at 8 of its facilities in 2015 and 2016 (Dan River, Buck, Riverbend, W.S. Lee, Allen, Belews Creek, Cliffside and Marshall)

  *   $201 million annually for 40 years for future compliance costs associated with the coal ash pond closures

  *   Duke estimates that its coal ash cleanup costs at those plants will total more than $8.715 billion over the next 40 years ($135 million for 5 years plus $201 million for 40 years).



  *   A nuclear power plant that’s not even being built:

  *   $53 million/year for 12 years for development of the Lee Nuclear Facility in South Carolina, a project that Duke is now seeking to cancel based partly on the recent bankruptcy announcement of Westinghouse.



  *   New power plants, including dirty fracked gas plants being used to justify the Atlantic Coast Pipeline:

  *   Duke has spent $557 million on new gas-fired plants, $156 million on new solar facilities, and $109 million on hydro facilities, and they want to recover $101 million per year from ratepayers to cover these expenses.

  *   Other expenses: Meter replacement and smart meters, new “Customer Connect” system, a rider to cover investments in the power grid



Tell regulators: Don’t raise my electric bills to pay for Duke’s coal ash mess, increased reliance on dirty fossil fuels, and an abandoned nuclear plant in SC!



Speak at one of the hearings, or send your comments to: statements at ncuc.net (include “Docket E-2 Sub 1142” in the subject line) or by mail to North Carolina Utilities Commission, 4325 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC  27699-4300.



Tues., Jan. 16, 7pm


Franklin Public Hearing

(Macon County Courthouse, Courtroom A,  5 W. Main Street)


Wed., Jan. 24, 7pm






Greensboro Public Hearing

(Guilford County Courthouse, Courtroom 1C, 201 S. Eugene Street)


Tues., Jan. 30, 6:30pm






Charlotte Public Hearing

(Mecklenburg County Courthouse, 832 E. 4th Street)





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