New NC bill requires Duke Energy to make progress on new nuclear facilities befo

[Marlin]

https://www.wunc.org/environment/2026-05-20/nc-bill-duke-energy-nuclear-facilities-coal-retirements

[News Wire]

North Carolina lawmakers introduced legislation requiring Duke Energy to secure regulatory approval for new nuclear facilities before retiring existing coal or natural gas plants. This mandate aims to ensure grid reliability and consistent baseload power while the state transitions toward carbon-neutral energy goals. The policy directly impacts long-term workforce planning and operational timelines for utility-scale power generation projects within the region.

Duke would be required to obtain a certificate of public necessity and convenience for new nuclear facilities before retiring baseload powerplants like coal- or natural gas-fired facilities.

A newly rewritten bill that was heard in the N.C. House Energy and Public Utilities Committee on Wednesday mandates that Duke Energy keep baseload powerplants online until the N.C. Utilities Commission has approved the construction of nuclear plants to replace that generation.

Lawmakers have expressed interest in bolstering North Carolina's nuclear energy as part of an effort to bring consistent power onto the grid while also adding carbon-free resources that could steer Duke Energy toward carbon-neutral by 2050, a target written into state law.

Read the full article at WUNC News:
https://www.wunc.org/environment/2026-05-20/nc-bill-duke-energy-nuclear-facilities-coal-retirements