Duke Energy SC Plan Approved With Recommendations From Environmental Groups
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Yesterday, the South Carolina Public Service Commission approved Duke Energy’s integrated resource plan for South Carolina, directing Duke to work with stakeholders to consider improvements recommended by several environmental groups that, if implemented, could improve grid reliability, expand opportunities for solar energy and battery storage, and reduce reliance on risky and polluting fossil fuels. The Commission also directed Duke to work with large customers such as Walmart to develop programs to reduce load and help companies meet sustainability goals.
The long-range energy planning process allows for interested parties, such as environmental groups and large customers, to intervene and participate in the proceeding before the Commission. Intervening parties can submit evidence critiquing a utility’s long-term plan and whether it is the most reliable and affordable way to meet energy demand for South Carolina communities.
“Duke’s plan moves in the right direction by setting a path for retiring its coal units and shifting toward clean energy resources. But there is much more to be done, and we hope the Companies take seriously the Commission’s directive to work with stakeholders on ways to accelerate clean energy growth through better transmission planning and customer programs.” – Kate Mixson, SELC Senior Attorney.
“Duke is on a better path than it was previously, however its ‘all-of-the-above’ energy plan does not match the urgent need to move from coal and gas to clean energy, and we need the utility to do better. Hurricane Helene has made evident what the world already knows, we must double down on clean energy, not fossil fuels, in order to avert the worst impacts of our changing climate.” – Montravias King, Chapter Director, Sierra Club South Carolina.
“The Coastal Conservation League applauds the efforts of the Commission and appreciates their recognition of the importance of considering compliance with federal greenhouse gas regulations in future IRP proceedings. We look forward to engaging in stakeholder meetings with Duke Energy to provide recommendations regarding environmental compliance, energy production cost modeling, the appropriateness of solar capacity limits in modeling, capacity reserve margins, federal funding opportunities, transmission planning, customer-sited generation, and a Bring-Your-Own Battery pilot program, among other topics.” – Taylor Allred, CCL Energy & Climate Program Director.
“We applaud the Commission’s support for improved transmission planning, which will help bring renewable energy online, and for its requirement that Duke look for ways to leverage federal funds to help retire old, highly-polluting power plants. The recent hurricane that hit western South Carolina and North Carolina, however, shows how important it is to do more to reduce climate emissions.” – Eddy Moore, SACE Decarbonization Director.
“Duke’s plan sets us on a course to reduce risk and build resilience in Upstate communities by recognizing the benefits solar, battery storage, and proactive transmission planning provide to ratepayers. We will continue to work with Duke and stakeholders to improve upon their planning and ensure prudent long-term investment in resources that move us away from risk and fortify community-based generation and planning.” – Megan Chase-Muller, Upstate Forever State Policy Director.
“Meeting South Carolina’s growing energy needs while maintaining affordability means using all of the cost-effective tools in the toolbox. I am glad to see the Public Service Commission ruling creating a path forward for important customer programs – like virtual power plants – that can help individuals save money while helping the grid.” – Jake Duncan, Southeast Regulatory Director, Vote Solar.
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit sierraclub.org.
About the 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 200, including more than 120 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, D.C. Learn more at southernenvironment.org.
About the Coastal Conservation League
Since 1989, the Coastal Conservation League has worked to protect the health of the natural resources of the South Carolina coastal plain and ensure a high quality of life for all of the people who live in and love this special place. The Coastal Conservation League is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Learn more and get involved at coastalconservationleague.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.
About Upstate Forever
Upstate Forever is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects critical lands, waters, and the unique character of the Upstate of South Carolina. We focus our work on the ten counties of Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union. Since 1998, we have worked to protect the natural assets that make the Upstate so special: our farmlands, forests, natural areas, rivers, and mountains. We are committed to ensuring that our communities are vibrant and retain their green spaces, outdoor heritage, and unique identities in the face of rapid development and significant sprawl. Upstate Forever has offices in Greenville and Spartanburg. Learn more at upstateforever.org.
About Vote Solar
Vote Solar is an energy justice non-profit working towards a 100% clean energy future by bringing solar to the mainstream. Founded in 2002, Vote Solar advocates for clean energy in legislative and regulatory arenas at the state level, where most decisions about electricity are made. Despite powerful opposition, we use a winning combination of deep policy expertise, coalition building, and public engagement to get the job done. Learn more at votesolar.org.