Critical
Canary Media
North Carolina's Utilities Commission has denied Duke Energy's proposal to construct a 255 MW gas plant in Richmond County. The $584 million project was intended to support rising energy demand, particularly from data centers, and would have expanded an existing power station near the South Carolina border. Regulators pointed to uncertainty in Duke's data center growth forecasts and potential risks to consumers as reasons for the denial, calling the permit request "premature."
This decision reflects a broader national trend of skepticism toward fossil fuel infrastructure tied to energy-intensive industries like data centers. The rejection disrupts Duke's infrastructure plans and raises questions about how utilities balance expansion with regulatory and consumer concerns.
Why it matters: The decision signals intensified scrutiny of fossil fuel investments tied to tech-driven demand, with implications for utilities, data center operators, and regulators nationwide.