Critics of Duke-Progress merger file last-minute opposition

North Carolina critics of a proposed merger between Duke Energy as well as Progress Energy are making last-minute filings with a N.C. Utilities Commission to express their displeasure at a planned creation of a nation's largest electric utility. The deadline to file objections was today.The groups warn which a planned merger would be a bad deal for customers as well as for a environment. The groups are asking a utilities commission not to approve a merger without imposing additional conditions to promote green energy.A coalition of groups including a Sierra Club as well as Environmental Defense Fund say a merger would create a giant power company which will dominate a state as well as crowd out competition from clean energy producers. The N.C. Sustainable Energy Association, a Raleigh trade group which represents solar as well as other renewable developers, wants a commission to require a power companies to pay $75 million into a public benefit fund to pay for home weatherization as well as other programs. The utilities have committed to contributing $15 million, one-fifth which amount.The group additionally wants a commission to allow solar power developers which build rooftop solar panels to be able to sell electricity directly to homes as well as business which host a 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 as well as rural electric cooperatives to sell power to retail customers.The N.C. Utilities Commission has scheduled hearings for Sept. 20. The merger additionally faces review by a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.In a past week, Duke as well as Progress won suppor! t for th eir merger from two formidable opponents: a state consumer advocates in North Carolina as well as South Carolina. Those deals will require a combined Duke Energy to pass on to customers in both states at least $650 million in savings from fuel contracts, rail contracts as well as power plant operations.The initial reaction from a power companies is which a environmental groups' requests are unreasonable."Were being aggressive in promoting as well as pursuing efficiency as well as renewables, as well as we must additionally be responsible," said Progress spokesman Mike Hughes. "The policy of North Carolina for a last 40 years has been for utilities to provide reliable service at a lowest cost... So, our decision to invest in any resource ... is based on a states policy as well as our obligation to maintain a least-cost mix of resources available to meet our customers needs. " Get a biggest news in your email or cellphone as it's happening. Sign up for breaking news alerts.