Duke Energy has filed an application with the State of North Carolina Utilities Commission for approval of two new 800 megawatt coal units. In its application Duke claims that the additional expansion at their Cliffside plant (60 miles west of Charlotte) is necessary to meet growing energy demands at a reasonable price.

North Carolinians are being misled. Efficiency is far cheaper than adding new polluting power plants. Efficiency programs actually save the utility companies – and taxpayers - money since it costs more than 4 cents per kilowatt hour to create electricity in a coal or nuclear plant but only 3 cents per kilowatt hour to finance energy efficiency programs.  Duke Energy has not adequately explored the alternative of energy efficiency first.

Why Energy Efficiency?

• Over two-thirds of the energy utilities generate is lost before the electricity reaches consumers.
• The Southeast is the least energy efficient region in the United States.
• The average NC home uses 37% more electricity than the average American home.
• Utility companies in North Carolina spend less on energy efficiency than almost any other state.  NC ranks almost last (46th) in the United States on expenditures on energy efficiency as a percent of utility revenues. NC taxpayers deserve better! 
• North Carolina residents currently pay between $10 billion and $15 billion per year to import energy resources (oil, coal, natural gas and uranium).
• Energy efficiency reduces our dependence on out-of-state and foreign energy imports and keeps jobs and money in the state.   
• Energy efficiency makes economic sense; programs to save energy cost 25% less than generating electricity from coal or nuclear.
• Energy efficiency creates more jobs across North Carolina; a recent study from Appalachian State University estimates energy efficiency programs could save $3 billion and support over 150,000 jobs in NC.
• States that have invested in energy efficiency have experienced greater economic growth per capita with more efficiency spending than North Carolina. 
• Energy efficiency provides millions of dollars in energy savings to consumers and state and municipal government.
• Energy efficiency saves industrial, manufacturing, and other industries money on fuel costs.
• Energy efficiency strengthens rural communities and their economies, helping to preserve our land and heritage.
• Energy efficiency creates innovative jobs and economic growth opportunities in rural and urban counties, and keeps money circulating through communities, instead of leaving our state.
• For a strong state economy the NC Utilities Commission should adopt long-term policies that support sustainable but aggressive energy efficiency and renewable energy options - not more coal and nuclear power plants.
• Duke Energy has not adequately explored energy efficiency and conservation as an alternative to new coal generation.