Principles for Duke's Integrated Resource Plans

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Every two years Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas submit an integrated resource plan (IRP) that lays out a resource roadmap for the next 15 years. The plans include anticipated customer electricity demand and the utilities’ proposed approach to meet those needs.

Below are principles of what Duke IRPs in the public’s interest would include.

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1. Get real with climate goals

Duke’s plans should adhere to North Carolina’s climate goals of 70% greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 and entirely eliminate fossil fuels from its fleet by 2050.

2. Affordable energy for all

Duke should prioritize cost-saving measures like energy efficiency and demand response to reduce customers’ energy burdens and provide arrearage forgiveness and management plans to all customers facing utility debt.

3. Ditch coal

Duke’s IRPs should accelerate the retirement of all coal plants; close half of its coal fleet by 2025; achieve coal-free energy by 2030; and include support for just, community-led transition plans for coal plant communities.

4. No wasteful new gas

Duke needs to stop all new gas investments, and quantify and minimize the risk of stranded assets on their system.

5. Go big on renewable energy

Duke should be all-in on solar and other renewable sources, achieving at least 55% renewable energy by 2035.

6. Ensure equitable access to clean energy

Duke’s plans must break down barriers to clean energy for low-income households, offering comprehensive home energy efficiency upgrades and cost-saving community solar programs.

7. Embrace market competition

Duke should pursue all new assets through a transparent, competitive process that includes all alternatives.

8. Do grid modernization right

Duke needs to tap into customers’ distributed energy resources in its energy plan and allow customer-sited solar and storage systems to participate as a resource.