Southeast

Utilities

As data centers go up, North Carolina weighs how to handle energy demand

Duke wants to build gas plants, but clean energy advocates argue that solar, battery storage, and demand response could help alleviate growing strain on the grid.

By Elizabeth Ouzts .

16 September 2025

A person walks past rows of hardware in a warehouse — An employee walks past servers at the Facebook data center in Forest City, North Carolina. (Rainier Ehrhardt/Getty Images)

Energy efficiency

North Carolina families see lower bills with new Duke Energy program

The utility refers low-income customers to groups like Energy Savers Network, which provides free efficiency retrofits for long-term savings.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 9 September 2025
Fossil fuels

Texas created a $7.2B fund for gas plants. Hardly any are being built.

Even with a financial leg-up from taxpayers, builders are backing off gas plans, worried about profitability or that they won’t be able to get a hold of equipment.

By Paul Cobler . 2 September 2025
Emissions reduction

North Carolina ditched its 2030 climate goal. Now what?

Rising power demand and the low cost of renewables may give wind and solar a fighting chance even though Duke Energy no longer has to cut emissions in the near term.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 26 August 2025
EV charging

Cruising Virginia countryside in an electric vehicle is a lot easier now

As EV tourism takes hold in rural towns, historic Middleburg looks to attract eco-minded visitors with a high-speed electric-vehicle charger.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 19 August 2025
Utilities

North Carolina approves Duke Energy plan to let customers access their data

The new program, long in the making, has support from clean energy groups, but critics worry about fees and unattainable cybersecurity standards.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 1 August 2025
Clean energy jobs

Energy bill could cost North Carolina billions in lost investments and jobs

As lawmakers decide whether to override the governor’s veto of SB 266, new research estimates the massive economic toll of the legislation.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 25 July 2025
Utilities

Virginia regulators rebuke Dominion’s long-term plan, but OK it anyway

The state's utility commission called the 15-year forecast flawed but "legally sufficient," ordering major changes for the next one due in 2026.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 18 July 2025
Clean energy

Rural North Carolina town forges ahead on clean energy, despite headwinds

Federal lawmakers are throwing a wrench in Enfield’s plans for solar, energy efficiency, and a resilience center. But local leaders refuse to give up.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 11 July 2025
Emissions reduction

N.C. governor vetoes bill that would have delayed clean energy goal

The bill would have eliminated a 2030 emissions-reduction target for Duke Energy — and caused the utility to build less generation, just as power demand is rising.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 2 July 2025
Utilities

Dominion Energy’s latest plan sidesteps Virginia’s 2045 clean power goal

The utility’s latest long-range resource plan stops at 2039 without addressing how it will meet the state’s 2045 deadline for achieving 100% carbon-free electricity.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 1 July 2025