Duke Energy joins the ranks of power companies committed to net-zero carbon

(RALEIGH, NC) Duke Energy today announced plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with at least a 50 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This goal applies to all of the company’s subsidiaries that collectively serve more than 7 million customers across the U.S. Duke’s announcement comes as a swath of other U.S. power companies – including large midcontinent companies, such as Xcel Energy and DTE – have made important recent commitments to slashing emissions and accelerating the deployment of clean energy solutions.

“Duke’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century is an important step toward addressing the company’s climate impact. We encourage Duke to accelerate the retirement of its coal fleet to help exceed their current plan of a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030. We hope Duke will use this commitment as a platform to invest more heavily in renewable energy, driving toward the benefits that a 100 percent clean energy portfolio can deliver for customers and the environment.”  

“Climate change is taking a toll on our planet, and we are increasingly seeing tangible impacts on our daily lives right here at home in the U.S. Carbon pollution carries a high cost for the health of our citizens, the health of our planet, and the health of our economy. It will take such commitments on a broad scale, and focused and ambitious action over the upcoming decade, to diminish the human impact on climate change and support a future where we all enjoy cleaner air for generations to come.”

• Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund