Two North Carolina nonprofit organizations concerned with climate change face a significant obstacle in their challenge to a new natural-gas-fired power plant near Asheville.
In March, the Public Utilities Commission approved Duke Energy’s $1 billion plan to build two 280-megawatt natural gas units. The Climate Times, based in Boone, N.C., and NC WARN, which is committed to watchdogging Duke Energy, argue that the power plant was fast-tracked without proper consideration of environmental impacts and the future economics of natural gas.
State law requires that the costs of delaying construction during the appeal process be covered by a bond, paid by the objectors if they lose.
The North Carolina Public Utilities Commission raised the bond on the two groups’ permit appeal from $10 million to $98 million in July, effectively barring their legal challenge. Duke Energy suggested $240 million, their estimated cost of delaying construction, after the groups appealed the first set amount. The organizations also plan to appeal the latest bond amount.
— Eliza Laubach
Related Articles
Latest News
More Stories
‘First Line of Defense’
During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.
The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery
Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.
After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain
A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.
The Washout and Rebuild
For nearly two years, residents of Unicoi County, Tennessee, have had to make do without a hospital after Hurricane Helene destroyed the rural hospital. Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, broke ground on a new location — in another floodplain — in August 2026.
The Shenandoah Salamander
The Shenandoah salamander is a woodland salamander, which has adapted to life at higher elevations away from water. This sparkling rarity lives among the dry leaves, cracked logs, and stony hillocks on the highest peaks of Shenandoah National Park.
‘Foraging Is a Way of Connecting’
Foraging has experienced a modern resurgence, partly because of social media, online groups, the pandemic and people wanting to connect with nature. It also builds community, whether in person or online.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Leave a Comment