CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy today announced $550,000 in grants for environmental impact programs in North Carolina. The funding will support a variety of projects aimed at enhancing and preserving the state's natural surroundings. Zoom out: Duke Energy Foundation has provided grants totaling $6.6 million to support environmental impact programs across North Carolina over the past five years. Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy's North Carolina president: "North Carolina's natural surro ...

Core Points - Duke Energy has submitted a final license application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Bad Creek Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Station, aiming to extend its operations for an additional 50 years [1][4] - The Bad Creek facility, operational since 1991, serves as a significant energy storage solution, functioning as the largest "battery" in the company's system [2][7] - The company has recently completed upgrades to the Bad Creek facility, adding 320 megawatts of carbon-free energy, increasing its total capacity to 1,680 megawatts [4] Company Overview - Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company, serves 8.6 million customers across multiple states, owning 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity [6] - Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary, supplies electricity to 2.9 million customers across a 24,000-square-mile area in North and South Carolina [5] Industry Context - The extension of the Bad Creek facility aligns with South Carolina's energy infrastructure goals, supporting economic growth and ensuring reliable energy for communities [3][8] - The company is committed to a diverse energy portfolio, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage, as part of its ambitious energy transition strategy [9]

Core Viewpoint - Duke Energy has requested regulatory approval to combine its two electric utilities in the Carolinas, which is expected to generate significant customer savings and operational efficiencies [1][2][3]. Summary by Sections Company Overview - Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) and Duke Energy Progress (DEP) have been operating separately since the 2012 merger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy, and the proposed combination aims to streamline operations and reduce costs for customers [2][12]. Projected Savings - The combination is projected to save retail customers over $1 billion from 2027 to 2038, with additional savings expected beyond 2038 [5][6]. - Savings will be realized through improved operational efficiencies, reduced redundant investments, and better resource management across a combined service area of 52,000 square miles [8][12]. Operational Efficiency - Operating as a single utility will allow for more efficient planning and resource allocation, leading to lower costs and improved grid reliability [8][12]. - The merger will enable the company to implement a more uniform approach to services and rates, reducing customer confusion and regulatory compliance costs [12]. Regulatory Process - The combination requires approvals from the North Carolina Utilities Commission, the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [8][12]. - No immediate changes to retail rates or services will occur before 2027, with gradual blending of rates expected thereafter [7][9]. Infrastructure Modernization - Duke Energy is focused on modernizing its infrastructure to meet the growing energy needs of the Carolinas while ensuring reliable service at the lowest reasonable cost [4][16]. - The company is investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation sources, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage [16].

Core Viewpoint - The nuclear power sector experienced a decline on Thursday, with notable drops in stock prices for several companies in the industry [1] Company Summaries - Duke Energy (DUK.US) saw a decrease of 0.69% in its stock price [1] - BWX Technologies (BWXT.US) reported a decline of 0.87% [1] - Oklo Inc (OKLO.US) experienced a significant drop of over 6.9% [1] - NuScale Power (SMR.US) fell by more than 5.3% [1]

Industry Overview - Nuclear energy is increasingly recognized as a key solution to meet rising global electricity demand while advancing the shift toward cleaner energy sources, providing a constant and reliable supply of clean energy year-round [1] - The demand for clean electricity is rapidly increasing due to industrial expansion, urbanization, rising global temperatures, the development of AI-powered data centers, and the growing adoption of electric vehicles [5] - According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), annual investment in nuclear energy is projected to surpass $150 billion by 2030, up from the current $65 billion, with installed nuclear capacity potentially exceeding 1,000 gigawatts by 2050 [4] Government Initiatives - The U.S. President has issued four executive orders aimed at modernizing regulatory frameworks, expediting reactor testing and approvals, leveraging nuclear technology for national security, and expanding the domestic nuclear industrial base [2] - These measures target an increase in U.S. nuclear capacity from about 100 gigawatts in 2024 to 400 gigawatts by 2050 [2] Investment Opportunities - Nuclear energy-related stocks, such as NextEra Energy, Duke Energy, and Constellation Energy Corporation, are becoming attractive investment options due to their ability to deliver steady output and operate continuously [3] - Investors can explore additional stocks like Dominion Energy and Entergy Corporation for further growth in the nuclear energy space [7] Company Insights - NextEra Energy operates several nuclear generation units, with its nuclear assets forming a cornerstone of its clean energy strategy, delivering steady, carbon-free baseload power [8] - Duke Energy operates 11 nuclear units with a combined capacity of nearly 10,700 megawatts, contributing 27.5% of the company's total generation in 2024 [11] - Constellation Energy is the largest nuclear power plant operator in the U.S., producing about 10% of the nation's total clean energy, with over 20 reactors across various regions [15] Future Growth Plans - Duke Energy aims to grow its nuclear capacity by nearly 250 megawatts by 2031 and has secured agreements to monetize over $500 million in nuclear production tax credits [12] - Constellation Energy is ramping up investments to grow its nuclear capacity, including upgrades to existing sites and the potential addition of up to one gigawatt of new carbon-free capacity over the next decade [17]

Core Viewpoint - August 11 is recognized as National Safe Digging Day, emphasizing the importance of calling 811 before any excavation to prevent damage to underground utility lines [1][10]. Group 1: Importance of Calling 811 - The initiative encourages contractors, homeowners, and business owners to call 811 at least three business days prior to any digging project [3][5]. - Local utilities will mark underground lines with stakes, flags, or paint to prevent accidental damage [3][5]. Group 2: Damage Statistics - Duke Energy reported over 5,000 damages to underground electric and natural gas lines from January to June 2025 across its service territories [11]. - Specifically, there were about 290 damages to underground natural gas facilities and 89 damages to the underground electric network in Ohio and Kentucky [11]. - In 2024, Duke Energy recorded more than 8,870 damages to natural gas and electric lines [11]. Group 3: Company Overview - Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky serves 920,000 customers in a 3,000-square-mile area for electric service and 560,000 customers for natural gas in Ohio and Kentucky [7]. - Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company, serves 8.6 million customers across multiple states and has a total energy capacity of 55,100 megawatts [8].

Group 1 - The discussion includes both macroeconomic factors and specific stocks such as Norfolk Southern (NSC), Caterpillar (CAT), and Duke Energy (DUK) [1] - The focus is on long-term investment strategies in U.S. and European equities, emphasizing undervalued growth stocks and high-quality dividend growers [2] - Sustained profitability, characterized by strong margins, stable and expanding free cash flow, and high returns on invested capital, is highlighted as a more reliable driver of returns than valuation alone [2] Group 2 - The analyst has a beneficial long position in the shares of NSC and CNI through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [3] - The article expresses the author's own opinions and is not compensated for it, aside from Seeking Alpha [3] - Seeking Alpha clarifies that past performance does not guarantee future results and does not provide specific investment recommendations [4]

Core Insights - DataCapable has made a significant hire by appointing Sandy Buzzard as Chief Customer and Communications Officer, emphasizing its commitment to customer-centric innovation in outage detection and response [2][3] - Buzzard brings 15 years of experience from Duke Energy, where she successfully managed high-stakes outage events and developed industry-leading communication strategies [3][4] - The appointment aligns with increasing challenges in the energy sector, particularly due to extreme weather events, highlighting the need for real-world expertise and actionable solutions [5] Company Strategy - Buzzard will lead the customer communication strategy across all product lines and develop proactive crisis-response tools to enhance customer engagement [6] - DataCapable aims to transform the utility industry by not only providing tools but also delivering comprehensive solutions that address the complexities of outage management [6] Industry Context - The energy sector is facing mounting pressures from extreme weather and grid stability issues, necessitating partnerships with companies that have practical experience and innovative strategies [5] - Trust and effective communication are critical in the utility industry, where downtime can result in significant financial losses [6]

| WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 | UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | | | --- | --- | --- | | FORM | 10-Q | | | (Mark One) | | | | ☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | | | | For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2025 | | | | OR | | | | ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | | | | For the transition period from _________to_________ | | | | Registrant, State of Incorporation or Organization, ...

The Regulated electric unit's operating revenues were $6.97 billion, up 3.3% year over year, contributing 92.8% to the quarter's total revenues. Revenues from the Regulated natural gas business totaled $462 million, up 33.1% year over year. The Non-regulated Electric and Other segment generated revenues of $78 million, which decreased 1.3% year over year. Highlights of DUK's Earnings Release Duke Energy's total operating expenses amounted to $5.69 billion in the reported quarter, up 4% year over year. The i ...