Affordability concerns are increasing the risk that political and regulatory pressure may make it harder for utilities to recover their costs from ratepayers.
The NC Supreme Court upheld a Duke Energy rate hike costing customers $129M – even as ethics questions swirled around two justices who voted for it. One's wife holds Duke stock. The other's father wrote the law that made the hike possible.
Climate and consumer advocates in North Carolina are recommending the creation of a new class of "large load" customers that would pay fees to support infrastructure and be allowed to bring their own renewable energy, instead of relying on Duke Energy’s resources.
Full quote from Brawley: "On the question of Commissioner Van der Vaart participating in the decision making, the way the commission rules are written, it's not a decision the commission makes. ...
North Carolina Utilities Commissioner Donald van der Vaart has been absent from the proceedings now underway on Duke Energy's carbon plan; today Chairman Brawley said he'd be excluded from taking part in the decision-making. He's the newest member, appointed by GOP State Treasurer Brad Briner.
"...The commissioner is allowed to participate in the decision making if none of the parties object. There were objections, it only requires one, so Commissioner Van der Vaart will not be participating in the decision making at this point."