Duke Energy requests 16.7 percent rate hike [Tax Increase] on residential customers

Remember when our bought and paid for elected leaders

let Duke Energy purchase of Piedmont Natural Gas?

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article104952461.html

"...The proposed rate hike would affect about 2 million customers from Durham to the western part of the state, including the Triad, and amount to $647 million in new annual revenue.

What's $647 million, compared to how little money it took

to purchase the legislators 

who appointed the members of the N.C. Utilities Commission 

to grant the request of our monopoly energy company

The request was submitted to the N.C. Utilities Commission...

A few of many Duke Energy Contributions to North Carolina Candidates, 2016 cycle,

all after the HB2 fiasco which lost thousands of NC jobs,

and now ahead of a major tax increase authorized by these folks' minions 

on the Utilities Commission;

The Philip E. Berger Committee $5,100.00

Committee to Elect John Faircloth $3,000.00

Friends of Trudy Wade $8,000.00

Jon Hardister for NC House $1,000.00

Adams for NC House $2,000.00

Berry for Commissioner of Labor $4,000.00

Bishop for Senate $4,000.00

Bumgardner for NC House $5,000.00

Committee to Elect Chad Barefoot $7,000.00

Committee to Elect Dan Forest $5,100.00

Friends of Tim Moore $5,100.00

http://cf.ncsbe.gov/CFOrgLkup/ReportDetail/?RID=142006&TP=EXP

...The utility projects a residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity monthly would pay about $122.68, reflecting an increase of $18.72.

Taxation is theft

The utility also wants to raise its rate by an average of 10.9 percent on commercial and industrial customers in that region.

A tax hike which will be passed on to consumers

through higher prices

Duke Energy Carolinas separately filed a request for commission approval to halt its Lee nuclear plant project near Gaffney, S.C.

The Charlotte Observer reported the utility wants to be allowed to recoup up to $636 million in Lee project development costs from customers. The recouping would represent $53 million of the $647 million annual revenue increase for a 12-year period.

Instead of stock holders taking the hit for Duke's fuck up, 

they want to hit its customers instead of decreasing its dividend

...The rate increase will help the utility pay for compliance with state and federal regulations involving managing coal ash since 2015, Fountain said.

Duke Energy want's to charge customers

for mismanagement and environmental harm 

...In April, the NC Conservation Network filed a petition with the utilities commission about separating the coal ash costs from any rate increase request by Duke Energy.

“The cost and responsibility for coal ash storage and disposal remains a complex issue which deserves special attention,” the advocacy group said. “North Carolina ratepayers need clarity and transparency as Duke Energy seeks to raise our rates to pay for its coal ash problems.”

...Duke Energy contends the great majority of its coal ash cleanup costs across North Carolina — expected eventually to top $4.5 billion — are part of the routine life cycle of its 14 active and retired coal-fired plants.

Bullshit

Meanwhile, N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein and other intervenors, including the Sierra Club, Appalachian State University and the Carolina Utility Customers Association, argued that Duke Energy’s coal ash dilemma simply contains too many factors that utility executives brought on themselves, or that otherwise beg closer examination than the company’s proposed bookkeeping maneuver suggests.

http://www.greensboro.com/business/local_business/duke-energy-requests-percent-rate-hike-on-residential-customers/article_94ac2bf0-2d76-5038-ab9f-87f6d3f135d1.html

Duke Energy Contributions to Federal Candidates, 2016 cycle

Burr, Richard (R-NC) $10,000

Tillis, Thom (R-NC) $2,500

Walker, Mark (R-NC) $4,000

Adams, Alma (D-NC) $3,000

Budd, Ted (R-NC) $1,000

Butterfield, G K (D-NC) $1,000

Ellmers, Renee (R-NC) $5,000

Foxx, Virginia (R-NC) $5,000

Holding, George (R-NC) $9,000

Hudson, Richard (R-NC) $8,000

Jones, Walter (R-NC) $2,000

McHenry, Patrick (R-NC) $10,000

Meadows, Mark R (R-NC) $2,000

Pittenger, Robert (R-NC)$4,000

Price, David (D-NC) $1,000

Rouzer, David (R-NC) $5,500

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cycle=2016&cmte=C00083535

Pat McCrory has blood on his hands; "Duke Energy met with state officials to challenge water advisories"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/05/pat-mccrory-has-blood-on-his-hands-duke.html

GN&R Editorial Board Shamefull Propaganda Spin on Duke and Progress Layoffs?

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2011/09/gn-editorial-board-shamefull-propaganda.html

"Pruning begins at Duke Energy, Progress"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2010/01/begins-at-duke-energy-progress_16.html

"Progress Energy Lobbyist Dies in Auto Fire Inside Garage"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2010/01/energy-lobbyist-dies-in-auto-fire.html

"Rep. Dan Bishop Applauds Overwhelming Passage of the “Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act,” [HB2] Urges Governor McCrory to Sign the Measure" and some of his 2016 campaign contributors, who, by not asking for their money back, are supporters of bigotry and employment discrimination in North Carolina

DUKE ENERGY CORP PAC
550 S TRYON ST, DEC37D
CHARLOTTE, NC 28202

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/04/rep-dan-bishop-applauds-overwhelming.html

On the possible motives to have voted for and/or signed HB2 into North Carolina law

Duke Power/Energy probably wouldn't mind making more money from more profitable businesses who don't have to pay more for labor than absolutely necessary.

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/04/on-possible-motives-to-have-voted-for_3.html

How Duke Energy helped sell the City of Greensboro on the Randolph Megasite project

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/12/how-duke-energy-helped-sell-city-of.html

Yes Weekly and Hartzman on Greensboro's DC lobbyist.

So the City pays its share, and taxpayers fund the Partnership, who pays the other portion, so taxpayers are funding a lobbyist for Roy Carroll, Jim Melvin, Koury and Marty Kotis.

Pillsbury also represents Duke Energy, so Pillsbury is working to prevent North Carolina from cleaning up its coal ash mess.

Pillsbury also represents Bank of America, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, UBS and Wells Fargo

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/12/yes-weekly-and-hartzman-on-greensboros.html

If Greensboro's new federal lobbyist "represents clients in the energy, environmental, financial services, aviation, and health care sectors and provides counsel to clients involved in congressional investigations"...?

Has Mr. Saperstein worked to increase NC taxpayer energy costs
for clients Duke Power and Progress Energy?

Has Mr. Saperstein worked to eliminate NC jobs
by lobbying for clients Duke Power and Progress Energy's merger?

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2011/12/if-greensboro-new-federal-lobbyist.html

GN&R Editorial Board Shamefull Propaganda Spin on Duke and Progress Layoffs?

"...Progress Energy, headquartered in Raleigh,

...Duke Energy, which is anchored in Charlotte.

Combined, they’ll serve more than 7 million customers, including most residents and businesses in North Carolina.

Why would some utility company executives
want to work at state and federal regulatory agencies
and why would some retired regulators
want to work for the companies they regulated?

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2011/09/gn-editorial-board-shamefull-propaganda.html

Sometimes I wonder

whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on,

or by imbeciles who really mean it.

Mark Twain

"Pruning begins at Duke Energy, Progress"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2010/01/begins-at-duke-energy-progress_16.html

"Progress Energy Lobbyist Dies in Auto Fire Inside Garage"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2010/01/energy-lobbyist-dies-in-auto-fire.html

"The Merger of State and Commerce"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-merger-of-state-and-commerce.html

The Phil Berger's Big Lie

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-phil-bergers-big-lie.html

From Howard Coble's 2013 Contributions; Whoever wins District 6 gets access to this kind of money

DUKE ENERGY PAC

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/from-howard-cobles-2013-contributions.html

Perhaps there is a fifth dimension "...the middle ground between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge"

Say Yes to Education information request for Guilford County Schools

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/say-yes-to-education-information.html

The salaries of some Yes to Education Executives, which just took Guilford County for more than $25 million

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-salaries-of-some-yes-to-education.html

Mary Anne Schmitt-Carey; President at Say Yes to Education, Inc.; Professional Fundraising Organization

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/mary-anne-schmitt-carey-president-at.html

David Colin; Just Say Yes raises lots of questions

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/david-colin-just-say-yes-raises-lots-of.html

Say Yes to Education Red Flag; Mary Vigue; She is about to be in charge of more than $25 million for a 'non-profit' after shafting City of Greensboro employees out of investment fee cuts

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/say-yes-to-education-red-flag-mary.html

Pat McCrory has blood on his hands; "Duke Energy met with state officials to challenge water advisories"

"Duke Energy used its access at top levels of state government to challenge the do-not-drink warning and health screening level that had been vetted by state health experts for the carcinogen hexavalent chromium in private wells near the company’s coal ash basins...

In June, at Duke Energy’s request, company officials met with members of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services at the DEQ building in Raleigh. It was the same month of the much-reported meeting at the executive mansion between Gov. Pat McCrory and Duke Energy’s chief executive, Lynn Good, as well as other state and company officials.

Mr. McCrory put his company's interests 

ahead of the interests of North Carolina citizens 

McCrory administration officials have declined to say what was discussed at the meeting.

On Thursday, they also declined to comment on the deposition.

Present at the meeting at the DEQ building were several Duke Energy lawyers as well as Harry Sideris, the senior vice president of environmental, health and safety at Duke Energy, and Mark McIntire, the director of environmental policy and affairs at Duke Energy, according to Davies. Among those representing DEQ were Secretary Donald van der Vaart, who was appointed by McCrory in January 2015, and Tom Reeder, the assistant secretary for the environment.

...“Dr. Davies described how her superiors went against her own expert advice and started making up justifications to convince people their water is safe, when in fact it poses serious health risks,”...

http://www.greensboro.com/business/testimony-duke-energy-met-with-state-officials-to-challenge-water/article_f4c79a0e-f6a5-53fb-8b62-47295854c6f5.html

Doom on North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory

GN&R Editorial Board Shamefull Propaganda Spin on Duke and Progress Layoffs?

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2011/09/gn-editorial-board-shamefull-propaganda.html

"Pruning begins at Duke Energy, Progress"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2010/01/begins-at-duke-energy-progress_16.html

"Progress Energy Lobbyist Dies in Auto Fire Inside Garage"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2010/01/energy-lobbyist-dies-in-auto-fire.html

How Duke Energy helped sell the City of Greensboro on the Randolph Megasite project

From: Geib, John C [mailto:John.Geib@duke-energy.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 1:11 PM
To: Cyndi Dancy (CDancy@greensboro.org); Dan Lynch (DLynch@greensboro.org); Dan Gerlach
(dgerlach@goldenleaf.org); Robin Rhyne (RRhyne@greensboro.org); Dianne Reid
(dreid@chathamedc.org); David Powell (dpowell@ptpnc.com); Bonnie Renfro; Fleetwood, Susan
(sfleetwood@nccommerce.com); Sam Simpson (ssimpson@triadfirstcapital.com); Tim Booras
(cotedefeve@gmail.com); Nat D. Taylor (ntaylor@taylormcchesney.com); Chris Lowe
(clowe@SametCorp.com); ...Dubel, Kathi K
Cc: Geib, John C

Subject: Invitation for a night at the Hoppers Game

Gang-

I have the Duke Suite for the Hoppers game on 7/31.

I thought I might try to put together a Mega Site themed gathering.

Sorry for the late notice, but if you have next Thursday evening open and have an interest in some baseball, a warm NC Summer’s eve, and some stadium quality food and drink then let me know and we’ll hook you up. Please let me know if I’ve left anyone off the list. The suite holds 24 so if you’re interested in bringing a “significant other” with you to this gala then let me know and we’ll try to accommodate that as well.

John

John C. Geib
Director
North Carolina Economic Development
Duke Energy Carolinas | 2200 Fairfax Road | Greensboro, NC 27407
(336-632-3832 | 336-420-3273 | * John.Geib@Duke-Energy.com
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From: Dubel, Kathi K To: "Geib, John C"
Subject: RE: Invitation for a night at the Hoppers Game
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 2:28:47 PM

I would love to – and will plan to bring Johnny.

Thanks for inviting me, John.

Kathi Dubel

Manager-Economic Development & Business Support
City of Greensboro
Ofc: 336.373.4579
PO Box 3136, Greensboro, NC 27402-3136
www.greensboro-nc.gov
kathi.dubel@greensboro-nc.gov
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What does regulatory capture look like? Kathi Dubel, Ex-Greensboro Partnership VP, and Denise Turner Roth

"Last year, the Triad Business Journal reported the Greensboro Partnership's Kathi Dubel, who was Vice President for New Business Recruitment at the Partnership's Economic Development Alliance, is now working as the City of Greensboro's economic and small business development manager.

"That's on top of Denise Turner Roth, the Greensboro Partnership's former lobbyist for governmental affairs, acquiring the role of city manager..." [who serves on Action Greensboro's and DGI's boards.]"

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-does-regulatory-capture-look-like.html
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Zack Matheny shoving an incentive for his friends and campaign contributors down Greensboro taxpayer's throats

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/01/zack-matheny-shoving-incentive-for-his.html
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On Zack Matheny's crooked incentive package for his friends in Downtown Greensboro

Zack denied Sam Simpson made any money on the deal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw8JMDCFgOc
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Did Zack Matheny sell Greensboro taxpayer money to run for congress?

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/12/did-zack-matheny-sell-greensboro.html
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butch.simmons@greensboro-nc.gov, hfourrier@greensboronc.org, kathi.dubel@greensboro-nc.gov,
"Davis, Larry" , Rick Lusk ,
Andy Scott
date: Thu, Dec 11, 2014 at 3:42 PM
subject: City of Greensboro Manager Jim Westmoreland Lying to Tony Wilkins and City Council

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/12/city-of-greensboro-manager-jim.html
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Please provide all documents and communications including private emails and text messages between Nancy Hoffmann and/or Robbie Perkins to City of Greensboro executives which includes any of the following; "incentive", "Momentum" "Kaplan" "Manning" "James or Jim Budd", "Kern" "House" "Nick Piornack", "Worx", and/or "Rhyne", including Kathi Dubel, Andy Scott, John Shoffner and/or Reggie Delahanty from the beginning of 2013 to the present.

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/11/city-of-greensboro-downtown-hotel-info.html
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A follow up Westmoreland email to Lomax, Sam Simpson and former Greensboro Partnership Lobbyist, and now City of Greensboro’s Economic and Small Business Development Manager, Kathi Dubel said “please do be very sensitive with your communications on the Downtown Building Improvement Grant Program. This item has not yet been formally shared with nor endorsed by City Council so it’s not yet a done deal (even though we do expect it to be endorsed in January and do believe it’s another good downtown ED support tool).”

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/05/on-crony-capitalism-in-greensboro-zack.html
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In December, 2013, the contract was amended by City staff without formally informing City Council, extending the “Time of Performance 7/31/2013, to 12/31/2013”. The document states “The City contact for all matters including request for payment and reporting under this agreement shall be Kathi Dubel. Dubel, like former City Manager Denise Turner Roth, served as a lobbyist for the Greensboro Partnership before working for the City.

http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/04/developer-cant-pave-over-holes-in-city.html
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Legal Theft, by Whoever Votes for Greensboro's City Council Agenda Item 34

34. Resolution authorizing a loan of $100,000 to Samet Corporation and authorizing a loan for $100,000 to McConnell Center Partners, LLC to be used for grading of qualified industrial sites.

http://wellsfargowhistle.blogspot.com/2013/11/legal-theft-by-whoever-votes-for.html
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Nancy Hoffmann Campaign Contributors whom Hoffmann voted taxpayer money/largess for, which Greensboro's press won't report

The Samet family

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/09/nancy-hoffmann-campaign-contributors_23.html
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Taxpayer subsidized wealth; Greensboro, North Carolina

Samet got another $600,000 loan from the City.

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/04/taxpayer-subsidized-wealth-greensboro.html
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And another couple of Samet's for Hoffmann;

http://www.co.guilford.nc.us/elections_cms/docs/2013/midyr/HOFFMANN_NANCY_midyr13-amended.pdf

http://wellsfargowhistle.blogspot.com/2013/11/legal-theft-by-whoever-votes-for.html
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See how the Rhino under-reports incentive deals
related to Roy Carroll's friends or Roy,
and scrutinizes deals that compete with Roy and friends?

Remember Samet's $600,000 shovel ready loan advocated by Matheny
and the correlating campaign contributions?

Remember Windsor Development's loan advocated by Matheny
and the correlating campaign contributions?

Should the chair of the City's Economic Development Committee accept campaign contributions from employees of entities receiving money from the city via city council votes advocated and voted on by Zack Matheny?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/03/john-hammer-mayor-nancy-vaughan-had.html
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On October 8, 2007,
Zack voted for a rezoning for Wendover South Associates Limited Partnership.

Derek Allen of Brooks Peirce represented the applicant
whose firm makes a lot of money off Greensboro's taxpayers
who cut Zack a check for $250 on 6/12/07.

Who owns Wendover South?

Why Mega Builders?

Why doesn't any of the minutes from the meetings
identify most of the LLCs getting rezoning
one might ask.

Mike Winstead gave Zack $1,000 on 8/3/07
a little more than two months before.

Mike's partner Joe paid Zack $1,000 on 8/3/07.
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On June 11, 2007,
Zack Matheny voted for a rezoning for Carroll Capital Investments, LLC,
represented by Robbie Perkins, for Roy Carroll.

Zack received $1,000 from Mr. Carroll's PAC on 10/30/07.

Mr. Carroll also gave $1,000 checks to Robbie, etc...,
as he garnered about $4 million in tax breaks for Center Point.
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At the 9/10/2007 Zoning Commission Meeting,
Zack voted for attorneys Derek Allen's
Henry Issaacson, Charlie Melvin requests,
including a rezoning for Alliance Commercial,
after receiving $2,000 from principals
of Alliance Management on 6/21/2007, and 6/26/07.

ES Melvin cut Zack a check for $250 on 7/30/07.

Derek Allen of Brooks Peirce
that makes a lot of money off Greensboro's taxpayers
cut Zack a check for $250 on 6/12/07.

Charles Melvin Jr. of Smith Moore,
paid $250 on 7/6/2007.

Henry Isaacson paid $100 on 8/3/07,
the same day his son Marc gave $100.

All while Zack voted for these people's stuff
while he worked for taxpayers on the Zoning Commission.
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Two more examples of what the News and Record won't report, as they are knee deep in it in Greensboro

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/two-more-examples-of-what-news-and.html

The News and Record's Richard Barron on $2.3 million Greensboro taxpayer dollars for Jim Melvin, Sam Simpson, David Powell, Roy Carroll and friends

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-news-and-records-richard-barron-on.html

Piedmont's Triad Partnership's Triad First Capital has disappeared; Jim Melvin, Sam Simpson, David Powell etc...

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/04/piedmonts-triad-partnerships-triad.html
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Nancy Vaughan (D) Pre Election Campaign Finance Report; (R) Marty Kotis - $1,000 and Roy Carroll

Both Roy and Marty got a free street and hundreds of thousands in taxpayer paid for benefits via Nancy Vaughan and the rest of City Council over the last two years, and they want to keep it going.

Marty Kotis, Eric Robert, Joe Bryan, George Carr, Betty Cone, the Koury Clan, Allen Duncan, Windsor Investments, Ross Harris, Cyndy Hayworth, Isaacson, Milton Kern, Jim Melvin, Donna Newton, Jim Phillips, Susan Schwartz, Sam Simpson, Arthur Winstead

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/nancy-vaughan-d-pre-election-campaign.html

Marty Kotis angling for more city of Greensboro money, using taxpayer funded Zack Matheny as his lobbyist; "City might help"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/marty-kotis-angling-for-more-city-of.html

How to purchase City Councilman Jamal Fox, by Marty Kotis among others

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/01/how-to-purchase-city-councilman-jamal.html

The blatant hypocracy of Susan Ladd and Warren Buffett's News and Record

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-blatant-hypocracy-of-susan-ladd-and.html

Crony Journalism Personified; Roy Carroll, John Hammer and Mike Barber

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2014/12/crony-journalism-personified-fuck-roy.html