"Trump Advisor Claims All Electricity Customers Are Funding the Survival of Coal Plants."
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 14 2026
0mins
Source: Barron's
Coal-Fired Power Plants: A Trump administration official announced that efforts to extend the operation of coal-fired power plants beyond their planned retirement dates are underway.
Cost Implications: The financial burden of keeping these plants operational will ultimately fall on electricity customers.
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Analyst Views on DUK
Wall Street analysts forecast DUK stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 129.690
Low
115.00
Averages
132.09
High
146.00
Current: 129.690
Low
115.00
Averages
132.09
High
146.00
About DUK
Duke Energy Corporation is an energy holding company. The Company operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment conducts operations primarily through the regulated public utilities of Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, Duke Energy Florida, Duke Energy Indiana and Duke Energy Ohio. EU&I provides retail electric service through the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to customers within the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States. The GU&I segment conducts natural gas operations primarily through the regulated public utilities of Piedmont, Duke Energy Ohio, and Duke Energy Kentucky. GU&I serves residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation natural gas customers, including customers served by municipalities who are wholesale customers. It also purchases a diverse portfolio of transportation and storage services from interstate pipelines.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Duke Energy Foundation Invests $500,000 to Support Emergency Response in South Carolina
- Funding Support: Duke Energy Foundation is investing $500,000 through its HERO grant program in South Carolina to enhance community readiness and resilience against extreme weather, thereby improving emergency response effectiveness.
- Program Background: Now in its fifth year, the program has provided a total of $2.5 million in support, helping local governments and nonprofits fill critical gaps in emergency response, particularly in communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
- Application Details: Starting March 19, South Carolina government agencies and qualified nonprofits can apply for grants up to $20,000 for training, equipment, and materials to bolster their response capabilities to major weather events, with applications closing on April 25.
- Community Impact: The HERO grants have funded 137 microgrants in South Carolina, significantly enhancing emergency response capabilities, such as deploying traffic trailers and salt spreaders during winter storms, which greatly improved the management of severe weather conditions.
See More
Duke Energy Reaches Settlement for Hundreds of Millions in Customer Savings
- Cost Savings for Customers: Duke Energy's settlement agreement is projected to save customers hundreds of millions of dollars by ensuring measurable benefits through the merger of Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress, which will lower operational costs and promote economic growth.
- Reduced Production Costs: The merger will enable Duke Energy to significantly lower production costs by using less fuel and reducing out-of-state energy purchases, with an estimated savings of billions for customers over the next 14 years.
- Optimized Capital Costs: The settlement includes plans to eliminate 200 megawatts of battery storage while maintaining reliability, which will further reduce capital expenditures and enhance overall financial efficiency.
- Enhanced Regulatory Transparency: Duke Energy will annually report customer savings to state regulators as part of the agreement, ensuring cost coverage and maximizing customer benefits post-merger, thereby increasing the company's transparency and accountability in the regulatory environment.
See More
Duke Energy Foundation Invests $500,000 to Support Emergency Response in South Carolina
- Emergency Response Investment: Duke Energy Foundation is investing $500,000 through its HERO grant program to support weather-related emergency preparedness and response in South Carolina, aiming to enhance community resilience during extreme weather events.
- Climate Impact Context: Earlier this year, South Carolina faced severe weather, including communities heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, highlighting the need for first responders to continuously improve their preparedness as extreme weather intensifies.
- Funding Application Details: Starting March 19, South Carolina government agencies and qualified nonprofits can apply for grants up to $20,000 for training, equipment, and materials to bolster resilience against major weather events, with applications closing on April 25.
- Annual Philanthropic Support: The Duke Energy Foundation provides over $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet community needs where Duke Energy customers live and work, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to community development.
See More
Duke Energy Settles with Multiple Organizations in Carolinas
- Settlement Agreement: Duke Energy announced a settlement with multiple organizations in North and South Carolina, with specific terms undisclosed, indicating the company's proactive approach to legal matters.
- Legal Risk Management: This settlement may help Duke Energy mitigate potential legal risks and financial burdens; although the settlement amount is not disclosed, this move aids in maintaining the company's reputation and stabilizing shareholder confidence.
- Regional Impact: The settlement could influence Duke Energy's operations in the Carolinas, particularly regarding environmental and community relations, and is expected to improve interactions with local communities.
- Future Outlook: By settling with relevant organizations, Duke Energy may gain more support for future projects, promoting the achievement of sustainability goals and enhancing its attractiveness for investments in the renewable energy sector.
See More
Duke Energy Reaches Settlement in South Carolina Merger
- Settlement Agreement: Duke Energy has reached a settlement in South Carolina, guaranteeing hundreds of millions in savings for customers over 14 years, primarily through enhanced operational and capital planning efficiencies.
- Cost-Saving Measures: The settlement includes reduced fuel usage, lower out-of-state energy purchases, and the elimination of 200 MW of battery storage from the long-range plan, ensuring production cost reductions while maintaining reliability.
- Customer Savings Forecast: Based on updated modeling, Duke Energy projects approximately $2.3 billion in customer savings from 2027 to 2040, with additional savings anticipated in the 2040s and beyond.
- Merger Progress: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the merger on January 30, while utility regulators in North Carolina and South Carolina still need to approve it; if approved, the merger will take effect on January 1, 2027.
See More
Duke Energy Reaches Settlement on Utility Merger
- Settlement Reached: Duke Energy has reached a settlement with various organizations regarding the merger of Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress, aiming to provide measurable cost savings and benefits to customers, with projected savings in the billions.
- Cost Reduction for Customers: The merger will enable Duke Energy to meet the growing energy demands of the Carolinas at a lower cost, with an estimated customer savings of approximately $2.3 billion from 2027 to 2040, achieved through more efficient operations and planning.
- Enhanced Regulatory Transparency: As part of the agreement, Duke Energy has committed to tracking and annually reporting customer savings to state regulators post-approval, ensuring transparency and building customer trust.
- Future Growth Prospects: The targeted effective date for the merger is January 1, 2027, which is expected to promote economic growth in the Carolinas, simplify operations, enhance regulatory efficiencies, and further solidify Duke Energy's market leadership.
See More
Duke Energy Foundation Invests $500,000 to Support Emergency Response in South Carolina
- Funding Support: Duke Energy Foundation is investing $500,000 through its HERO grant program in South Carolina to enhance community readiness and resilience against extreme weather, thereby improving emergency response effectiveness.
- Program Background: Now in its fifth year, the program has provided a total of $2.5 million in support, helping local governments and nonprofits fill critical gaps in emergency response, particularly in communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
- Application Details: Starting March 19, South Carolina government agencies and qualified nonprofits can apply for grants up to $20,000 for training, equipment, and materials to bolster their response capabilities to major weather events, with applications closing on April 25.
- Community Impact: The HERO grants have funded 137 microgrants in South Carolina, significantly enhancing emergency response capabilities, such as deploying traffic trailers and salt spreaders during winter storms, which greatly improved the management of severe weather conditions.
See More
Duke Energy Reaches Settlement for Hundreds of Millions in Customer Savings
- Cost Savings for Customers: Duke Energy's settlement agreement is projected to save customers hundreds of millions of dollars by ensuring measurable benefits through the merger of Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress, which will lower operational costs and promote economic growth.
- Reduced Production Costs: The merger will enable Duke Energy to significantly lower production costs by using less fuel and reducing out-of-state energy purchases, with an estimated savings of billions for customers over the next 14 years.
- Optimized Capital Costs: The settlement includes plans to eliminate 200 megawatts of battery storage while maintaining reliability, which will further reduce capital expenditures and enhance overall financial efficiency.
- Enhanced Regulatory Transparency: Duke Energy will annually report customer savings to state regulators as part of the agreement, ensuring cost coverage and maximizing customer benefits post-merger, thereby increasing the company's transparency and accountability in the regulatory environment.
See More
Duke Energy Foundation Invests $500,000 to Support Emergency Response in South Carolina
- Emergency Response Investment: Duke Energy Foundation is investing $500,000 through its HERO grant program to support weather-related emergency preparedness and response in South Carolina, aiming to enhance community resilience during extreme weather events.
- Climate Impact Context: Earlier this year, South Carolina faced severe weather, including communities heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, highlighting the need for first responders to continuously improve their preparedness as extreme weather intensifies.
- Funding Application Details: Starting March 19, South Carolina government agencies and qualified nonprofits can apply for grants up to $20,000 for training, equipment, and materials to bolster resilience against major weather events, with applications closing on April 25.
- Annual Philanthropic Support: The Duke Energy Foundation provides over $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet community needs where Duke Energy customers live and work, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to community development.
See More
Duke Energy Settles with Multiple Organizations in Carolinas
- Settlement Agreement: Duke Energy announced a settlement with multiple organizations in North and South Carolina, with specific terms undisclosed, indicating the company's proactive approach to legal matters.
- Legal Risk Management: This settlement may help Duke Energy mitigate potential legal risks and financial burdens; although the settlement amount is not disclosed, this move aids in maintaining the company's reputation and stabilizing shareholder confidence.
- Regional Impact: The settlement could influence Duke Energy's operations in the Carolinas, particularly regarding environmental and community relations, and is expected to improve interactions with local communities.
- Future Outlook: By settling with relevant organizations, Duke Energy may gain more support for future projects, promoting the achievement of sustainability goals and enhancing its attractiveness for investments in the renewable energy sector.
See More
Duke Energy Reaches Settlement in South Carolina Merger
- Settlement Agreement: Duke Energy has reached a settlement in South Carolina, guaranteeing hundreds of millions in savings for customers over 14 years, primarily through enhanced operational and capital planning efficiencies.
- Cost-Saving Measures: The settlement includes reduced fuel usage, lower out-of-state energy purchases, and the elimination of 200 MW of battery storage from the long-range plan, ensuring production cost reductions while maintaining reliability.
- Customer Savings Forecast: Based on updated modeling, Duke Energy projects approximately $2.3 billion in customer savings from 2027 to 2040, with additional savings anticipated in the 2040s and beyond.
- Merger Progress: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the merger on January 30, while utility regulators in North Carolina and South Carolina still need to approve it; if approved, the merger will take effect on January 1, 2027.
See More
Duke Energy Reaches Settlement on Utility Merger
- Settlement Reached: Duke Energy has reached a settlement with various organizations regarding the merger of Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress, aiming to provide measurable cost savings and benefits to customers, with projected savings in the billions.
- Cost Reduction for Customers: The merger will enable Duke Energy to meet the growing energy demands of the Carolinas at a lower cost, with an estimated customer savings of approximately $2.3 billion from 2027 to 2040, achieved through more efficient operations and planning.
- Enhanced Regulatory Transparency: As part of the agreement, Duke Energy has committed to tracking and annually reporting customer savings to state regulators post-approval, ensuring transparency and building customer trust.
- Future Growth Prospects: The targeted effective date for the merger is January 1, 2027, which is expected to promote economic growth in the Carolinas, simplify operations, enhance regulatory efficiencies, and further solidify Duke Energy's market leadership.
See More
