TITLE: Title
Group Letter to Submit Public Comments to the North Carolina Utilities Commission Concerning Duke Energy’s 2020 Integrated Resource Plan.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is for the Town Council to consider signing the attached group letter to submit public comments to the North Carolina Utilities Commission concerning Duke Energy’s 2020 Integrated Resource Plan.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning Department
CONTACT INFORMATION: Laura Janway, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, ljanway@townofcarrboro.org, (919) 918-7342; Patricia McGuire, Planning Director, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org, (919) 918-7327
INFORMATION: Duke Energy has submitted an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for the North Carolina Utilities Commission’s (NCUC) review and approval. The 2020 IRP
<https://www.duke-energy.com/OurCompany/IRP> communicates strategies for providing reliable electricity at the lowest cost over a 15-year time period. This review process is an opportunity for the Town of Carrboro to join with other North Carolina communities to share its climate action goals and communicate how the IRP can best support them. The comments in the attached letter were drafted by North Carolina local governments in addition to those that are listed by name as possible signatories. As proposed, the joint letter is a collective effort to advance local governments’ renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Background:
Duke Energy submits an IRP every two years. By commenting on the IRP, the Town has an opportunity to advocate for bringing more renewable energy to our electricity grid. Renewables are identified as a key method for achieving emissions reductions in both Carrboro’s Community Climate Action Plan <https://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/4116/Community-Climate-Action-Plan> and Energy and Climate Protection Plan <https://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/553/Energy--Climate-Protection-Plan-2014>.
The highlighted information shown within the attached group letter will be finalized once all of the named communities have had an opportunity to review it and make a decision. The group letter will be submitted by no later than February 26, 2021. As of February 5, 2021, several local governments including the Town of Boone, the Town of Chapel Hill, and Orange County have approved the draft letter, as written, and will be official signatories.
Specific actions that support Town goals include: retiring coal power plants as soon as possible to lower emissions, requiring all-source procurement as a way for renewable energy resources to compete head-to-head with fossil fuel options, expanding energy efficiency programs to lower emissions and increase bill affordability, and increasing electric vehicle offerings that support a transition to cleaner transportation options.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: There is no fiscal or staff impact related to this update.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Town Council authorize the submission of the attached group letter on behalf of the Town with the Mayor’s signature.