A North Carolina state regulator who has publicly supported coal has decided to step aside from decisions on Duke Energy's carbon plan. The regulator cited a potential conflict of interest, but the move raises questions about how the state will handle Duke's transition away from coal. The carbon plan is a key part of North Carolina's strategy to reduce emissions from the power sector. This recusal could slow down the approval process for Duke's carbon reduction roadmap, which includes retiring coal plants and adding renewable energy and storage. With one less voice at the table, the remaining regulators will have to navigate both technical and political challenges. The outcome matters for ratepayers and for the state's climate goals.
