Duke Energy – one of the largest climate polluters in the world – has known for decades that burning fossil fuels is driving the climate crisis and ever more destructive storms like Hurricane Helene.
Instead of taking action to transition off fossil fuels, Duke Energy has helped lead a campaign to deceive the public about these dangers, delaying the necessary transition off coal, oil and gas. That’s why the Town of Carrboro is taking Duke Energy to court.
Case Background
- Status: Complaint filed in Orange County on December 4, 2024 by Lewis and Roberts, PLLC
- Plaintiff: Town of Carrboro, Orange County, North Carolina
- Supporting Organizations: Center for Biological Diversity and NC WARN
- Defendant: Duke Energy Corporation, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina
Duke’s Contributions to Climate Change
- Duke Energy Corporation consistently ranks among the leading CO2 emitters in the United States among businesses in any field. Historically, Duke Energy has been one of the planet’s most significant emitters of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Mr. Rogers, while CEO of Duke Energy in 2007 and considered the leading voice of his entire industry, stated in 2007 that Duke Energy was the twelfth largest emitter of CO2 among all corporations on the planet.
- Duke Energy has been a world leader in emissions at all times relevant to this civil action. Duke Energy’s emissions have proximately and materially contributed to the climate crisis.
- Rather than share their internal knowledge, for decades Duke Energy participated in a campaign to deceive the public and policymakers about these dangers, and to delay the transition away from fossil fuels, including in its own operations.
Damages to Carrboro
- The Town has experienced multiple flooding events, tropical storms, and major heat waves in recent years and has projected significant expenses in the coming years.
- Specifically, the lawsuit addresses financial impacts in terms of roadway damage, stormwater infrastructure damage and increased electricity usage. The Town could incur up to tens of millions in damages in the coming years.