nc warn

February 13, 2013 - As commissioners consider whether to approve Duke Energy's controversial electric generation plan, the legislature wants to fire all of them and let Gov. Pat McCrory appoint a new slate. But given McCrory's longstanding ties to -- and ongoing investments in -- the utility giant, watchdogs say that represents a serious conflict of interest.

January 29, 2013 - An environmental watchdog group has petitioned the N.C. Attorney General to reopen the probe into the controversial Duke-Progress merger, pointing to CEO Jim Rogers' newspaper interview in which he contradicted official testimony and described what sounds like illegal secret talks with state regulators during merger settlement negotiations.

December 6, 2012 - The N.C. Utilities Commission and attorney general have settled their probes into Duke Energy's controversial $32 billion merger with Progress Energy. But a watchdog group calls the settlements a "sell-out of the public" and says it will continue to fight the merger in court.

October 2, 2012 - Unallowable expenses the utility giant submitted as part of recent North Carolina rate hike cases included lobbying, political junkets and costs related to a criminal investigation in Indiana. A watchdog group calls for an audit and penalties for improper future submissions.

August 20, 2012 - An energy watchdog group is running ads in newspapers across North Carolina demanding the power giant come clean on billions of dollars in planned nuclear improvements that could cost its customers dearly.

July 27, 2012 - Duke Energy is facing a credit downgrade, shareholder lawsuits, multiple investigations, and a legal move to reopen the regulatory proceedings that allowed it to take over Progress Energy in the first place.

July 23, 2012 - The $2 billion to be poured into nuclear fleet upgrades turns the Duke-Progress merger into a public soaking instead of a public saving -- which violates the deal's key legal standard.