Groups oppose Duke Energy’s Asheville power plant

Two nonprofit groups say they will fight Duke Energy’s plan to replace a coal-burning power plant in Asheville with units fueled by natural gas.

The project will be the subject of a Jan. 26 public hearing in Asheville. Duke needs a certificate from the state Utilities Commission saying the gas-fueled units are needed.

Duke earned local cheers in November, when it scaled back its plans for larger gas units and a 45-mile transmission line from South Carolina after thousands of local residents protested.

But at least two nonprofit groups say they will fight Duke’s plan. Durham-based NC WARN has frequently battled Duke. The Climate Times, based in Boone and focused on climate change, formed in July.

Both asked the state Utilities Commission on Monday for permission to become formal parties to Duke’s request. They want the commission to hear expert testimony on the project, apart from the Jan. 26 hearing for the general public.

WARN says other options, such as solar energy, may make the project unnecessary. It says greenhouse gases released in fracking for natural gas will contribute to climate change.

Duke has said it will file a formal application with the Utilities Commission on or after Jan. 15.

The utility says it faces growing demand for power at peak times in the Asheville region, where it serves 160,000 customers. Peak demand for electricity soared 30 percent higher in the past two winters than in previous years.

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Groups oppose Duke Energy’s Asheville power plant."