Nonprofit group jumps into energy talks
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, a regional nonprofit with offices in Asheville and Raleigh, is joining talks about a proposed Duke Energy energy-efficiency plan.
The nonpartisan environmental group followed in the footsteps of Piedmont Natural Gas and petitioned state regulators at the end of May to join discussions of Duke's plan. According to a document issued today by the N.C. Utilities Commission, SACE will be allowed to intervene in the proceedings.
Duke hopes to launch new energy-efficiency programs and an accompanying bill hike in North Carolina by the start of next year. But the utility could be delayed if the commission opens talks up to competing utilities and other parties concerned about energy-efficiency and the impact of Duke's plan on their own business.