Faith In Action: 14 From ICCT Were There
Duke Energy’s Carbon Plan lacks urgency, concern and commitment to meet Governor Cooper’s mandate to achieve a 70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. It fails to embrace the spirit of the law and acknowledge the gravity of the crisis. It also lacks imagination! The sustainability of our planet is at stake! This is a matter of morality and faith.
It’s not too late to submit a comment online if you missed the meeting. Click here to comment. Reference Docket No. E 100, Sub 179. Use ICCT Policy Statement as a resource.
A brief statement will do, such as: “As a person of faith, I demand that Duke Energy achieves 70% clean energy by 2030 and mitigates economic impacts on the economically disadvantaged. I call upon the NCUC to take bold action to ensure that Duke Energy meets the 2030 target and provides help to economically disadvantaged communities for the sake of future generations.”
Please share this information with members of your faith community and encourage them to speak out!
The July 11th Durham hearing was the first of six scheduled NCUC public hearings across the state to obtain public comment on Duke Energy’s proposed carbon plan. Prior to the hearing, there was an outdoor rally organized by 350.org. Russ Outcalt, an ICCT board member, spoke at the rally (link). Russ, Tom Dowd, and Dan Figgins (link) with ICCT, presented comments at the NCUC hearing
We are grateful to all three who spoke and to others from the ICCT network who participated – Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Unitarian Universalists, and United Church of Christ folks. They include Pat Butler, Donna Doran, Tom Fletcher, Lynda Hambourger, Paul Kelly, Judy Keyes, Jim McMahan, Gail Powell, John Rees, and Gary Smith.
A diverse crowd packed the courtroom to full capacity (130 people). Many others were turned away at the door. The NCUC heard a consistent message: Do not allow Duke to delay hitting the 70% reduction date of 2030. Include a plan that mitigates economic impacts on the economically disadvantaged. NCUC’s final decisions won’t be made before all hearings are completed and reviewed later this year. Surely the energy and concern of the testifiers will make a difference.
Please take 10 minutes to submit your comments. The sustainability of our planet and life on Earth is at stake!
To learn more, check out these resources:
1) ICCT Policy Statement on the plan
2) NC Utilities Commission Info on Duke’s Plan
3) Information from Duke Energy on the 4 options in their plan Read the executive summary.
4) A report card on Duke’s Plan (highest grade was D, overall grade: F) and a link to a webinar prepared by a coalition of climate and justice groups (Fossil Free NC).
5) News & Observer story on the rally and hearings, From gas to delayed deadlines, Duke’s carbon reduction plan meets opposition in NC, 7/12/22, https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article263308853.html
