Alex Amend, 404.457.8937 or alex.amend@sierraclub.org
David Rogers, 919.599.9966 or david.rogers@sierraclub.org
DURHAM, N.C.— Duke Energy released an updated carbon reduction strategy today that included a goal of reducing system-wide carbon emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030, and a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
The announcement comes on the heels of recent integrated resource plan filings in North Carolina and Indiana that show the utility plans to burn coal until 2048 and add more than 14 GW of new gas capacity to their system over the next 20 years.
In response, Dave Rogers, Southeast deputy regional campaign director for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign, issued the following statement:
"As one of the largest utilities in the country and one of the single biggest climate polluters, it’s good to see Duke acknowledge their responsibility to lead in the effort to decarbonize our economy.
"Unfortunately, according to Duke's most recent long term plans filed across their territories, they expect to burn coal until 2048 and build a massive amount of new gas capacity. Both of those commitments are totally incompatible with a clean energy future that avoids the worst impacts of climate change.
“To provide climate leadership and protect customers, Duke should work with stakeholders to get out of coal by 2030 and leap over risky, polluting gas to clean energy. If Duke sticks with their fossil fuel plans, we will continue our efforts, along with others, to win solutions that benefit customers, public health, and our planet."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million 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 www.sierraclub.org.