SREA said Duke Carolinas' and TVA's holiday blackouts were likely avoidable had they built robust transmission links and had better access to organized markets.

Duke Energy filed a proposal with the North Carolina Utilities Commission that presents four broad paths to reducing carbon emissions by 70% by 2030.

Renewable power advocates are concerned by concessions N.C. legislators made to utilities in return for the carbon-reduction goals of House Bill 951.

North Carolina law has upped the ante on utility carbon emissions reductions — requiring a 70% cut by 2030.

As H951 sits on Gov. Cooper's desk, the NCUC continued its examination of Duke Energy's IRP with a session on the increasing complexity of grid planning.

South Carolina sent the utility back to the drawing board for IRP revisions, while North Carolina looks to changes for Duke's 2022 IRP.