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Posted by : Wednesday, February 19, 2014In Uncategorized

Subpoenas released today by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resouces show that the U.S. Attorney in Raleigh is expanding its criminal investigation of the coal ash spill at Duke Energy’s Dan River plant to include spills at other company plants across the state,  and has identified individuals whose testimony it is requiring before the grand jury on March 18-20.

The subpoena expanding the investigation, dated yesterday, appears below:

By  subpoenas dated Feb. 11 (see below) and directed to a number of individuals, the U.S. Attorney is seeking both testimony before the  grand jury and documents each individual may have, including documents regarding anything of value each may have received from Duke Energy and Progress Energy since 2009.

Posted by : Wednesday, February 19, 2014 1 Comment In Uncategorized

A story in this morning’s Charlotte Observer makes the answer pretty obvious:

“Duke Energy hit its 2013 earnings target on the strength of its merger with Progress Energy, higher customer rates and a strong finish to the year.

Profits of $2.7 billion for the year earned $3.76 a share, compared with the $1.8 billion and $3.07 a share in 2012, Duke said Tuesday.

Adjusted for one-time items, earnings were $4.35 a share, at the midpoint of Duke’s target range and ahead of analysts’ estimates. That’s up from $4.32 a year ago.”

Read the entire story by clicking here.

Posted by : Tuesday, February 18, 2014In Uncategorized

Coal ashDon’t get shut out of next week’s NC Policy Watch Crucial Conversation — “Duke’s Dan River coal ash disaster: What happened? How big is the problem? What’s next?” The event will feature two of the state’s leading experts on the subject:  Clean water advocate Amy Adams of the group Appalachian Voices and State Rep. Pricey Harrison.

When: Thursday, February 27 at 12 noon – Box lunches will be available at 11:45 a.m.

Where: *(NOTE—NEW LOCATION)* The North Carolina Association of Educators Building, 700 S. Salisbury St. in Raleigh. This location feature on-site parking.

Space is limited – pre-registration required.

Click here to register

Questions?? Contact Rob Schofield at 919-861-2065 or rob@ncpolicywatch.com

Posted by : Tuesday, February 18, 2014 3 Comments In Uncategorized

John SkvarlaRaleigh’s News & Observer reports this morning that North Carolina DENR Secretary John Skvarla “bristled” yesterday at questions about his agency’s relationship with Duke Energy and the non-clean-up of coal ash ponds and dumps that the two parties have overseen.  This seems like an accurate description — Skvarla seemed visibly agitated in his testimony before the Environmental Review Commission — and not terribly surprising for a man whose agency was served with subpoenas in federal criminal investigation.

While perhaps understandable for a man in Skvarla’s predicament, it’s difficult to see, however, just how lashing out at critics is going to change things for him anytime soon. When you’ve premised 13 months of leadership Read More

Posted by : Monday, February 17, 2014In Uncategorized

North Carolina’s recent wintry weather has helped give rise to a lot of pent up activity this week. Tonight at 7:00 pm for instance, is an excellent event at the Duke University Center for Documentary Studies entitled “Organizing the South: How a Southern Workers’ Movement Can Change the Nation.” Click here for more information and here to watch the video livestream tonight.

And speaking of not-to-be-missed events, be sure if you get the chance to check out the Raleigh showing of “Inequality for All,” Robert Reich’s powerful new movie about America’s modern economy. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 18 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at William Peace University’s Browne-McPherson Music Building. Parking is free on campus. Click here for more information.

And speaking of the exploding inequality of the modern economy, check out economist Dean Baker’s essay from over the weekend in which he explains how America’s inequality hasn’t occurred by accident or simply as the result of the talent and hard work of the top 1%. To the contrary, as Baker explains, it’s happened “by design.”

And speaking of things that are exploding, the Duke Coal Ash disaster continues to be the biggest story in the North Carolina policy world. Read More

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