Critics of Duke-Progress deal beat deadlilne | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

John Murawski

"The N.C. Sustainable Energy Association, a Raleigh trade group that represents solar and other renewable developers, wants the commission to require the power companies to pay $75 million into a public benefit fund to pay for home weatherization and other programs. The utilities have committed to contributing $15 million, one-fifth that amount.

The group also wants the commission to allow solar power developers that build rooftop solar panels to be able to sell electricity directly to homes and business that host the rooftop panels. Currently homeowners can use their own solar electricity or sell it back to their electric utility, but state law only allows regulated utilities, municipal power agencies and rural electric cooperatives to sell power to retail customers."

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Shocker: Power demand is falling - Business - TheState.com

By JONATHAN FAHEY - The Associated Press

"From 1980 to 2000, residential power demand grew by about 2.5 percent a year. From 2000 to 2010, the growth rate slowed to 2 percent. Over the next 10 years, demand is expected to decline by about 0.5 percent a year, according to the Electric Power Research Institute, a nonprofit group funded by the utility industry.
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SC, NC regulators OK Duke-Progress merger accord - Business - TheState.com

Jim Davenport

"On Tuesday, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff approved a settlement agreement that requires at $650 million in retail electric customer savings during the first five years of the merger. That money would be used to offset fuel cost increases, a key component of electricity bills, said Dukes Scott, the agency's executive director.
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