CHAPEL HILL, N.C.— The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a motion asking the North Carolina Utilities Commission to reconsider a recent order directing Duke Energy to pause its 2026 solar and solar-plus-storage procurement process.
Despite escalating energy costs and demand, the commission issued an unexpected order to “defer” bringing cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable solar energy online in North Carolina, effectively cancelling the 2026 annual competitive solar procurement. Delaying procurement of the low-cost energy generating resource that solar and solar plus battery storage provides would harm energy reliability and affordability for North Carolinians going forward.
“If we are serious about meeting even a fraction of the electricity demands Duke is claiming and keeping energy bills affordable for North Carolinians, we have to keep adding solar and battery storage to the grid each year,” said Nick Jimenez, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. “For the last few years, solar, battery storage, and onshore wind have made up 90% or more of the new energy resources added on the grid, including in competitive wholesale markets, proving that these are the most economic resources.”
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the motion on behalf of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Vote Solar, and Sierra Club.
“This decision to delay the solar procurement is not only confusing, but also extremely harmful to the environment,” said Stacey Washington, clean energy, and equity director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “As we experience record breaking heat and approach the summer season, now is not the time to shy away from cleaner, cost-effective resources.”
Duke recently issued an update on “large load additions” – the forecast for new large customers, a category led by data centers. If Duke’s update is correct, it means electricity demand is continuing to increase along an unprecedented trajectory. Under those circumstances, it’s not sensible to delay procurement of new low-cost solar power with battery back-up, which will provide reliability while reducing pollution.
“As fossil gas prices continue to increase energy bills, communities are turning to leadership for solutions,” said Jake Duncan, southeast regulatory director at Vote Solar. “Duke is currently trying to get North Carolina families and businesses to foot an additional $800 million on fuel costs, on top of the proposed 15% rate hike. Now is the time for the commission to invest in proven resources like solar and storage that will protect communities from higher energy bills.”
While the Commission delayed solar and battery power, it allowed methane gas power plants to go forward. Methane fuel price increases have been the number one reason electric rates have gone up in recent years. In addition, prices are going up on equipment needed to build the methane gas, while also being stuck in a five-year supply chain backlog.
“As fuel prices skyrocket, it’s clear that clean energy sources are better economically and environmentally for North Carolinians,” said Mikaela Curry, Beyond Coal Campaign manager for Sierra Club. “What’s less clear is why we should slow down the development of resources with no associated fuel costs – Duke should be using all of its considerable resources to ensure clean and affordable solar gets built without delay.”
Media Contact: Kathleen Sullivan, 919-945-7106, ksullivan@selc.org
###
About Southern Environmental Law Center
The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of 250, including more than 160 legal and policy experts and advocates, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC. Learn more at selc.org.
About the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Since 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy has worked to promote responsible and equitable energy choices to ensure clean, safe and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at cleanenergy.org.
