Tag Archive for: #dukeenergy

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Foundation Grants Support Local Storm Preparedness

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— Information from Duke Energy

The Duke Energy Foundation is committing $500,000 in grants to support local storm preparedness across North Carolina. Eligible organizations can apply for grants of up to $25,000 now through April 30, 2026 by visiting the Duke Energy Foundation website.

Successful applications will describe pressing local preparedness needs and how the organization(s) will use the funds, according to information from Beth Townsend, Duke Energy East Region’s director of Government and Community Relations.

Examples of potential, successful proposals include:

  • Collaboration across agencies, sectors and communities in local disaster preparedness and response.
  • Innovative planning of initiatives for communities to prepare for natural disasters and extreme weather.
  • Storm readiness training, materials, kits and other community engagement and education initiatives.
  • Specialized training for first responders for natural disaster scenarios.

The application website includes information on qualifications, registering through Benevity, and step-by-step instructions. However, if you have any questions, please contact Sue Mills at sue.mills@duke-engery.com.

Duke Energy: Voluntarily Reduce Energy Use from 4-10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2

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— press release courtesy of Duke Energy

Extremely cold temperatures – 10 to 20 degrees below normal – are driving unusually high energy demand across the East Coast, including the Carolinas. Duke Energy is asking all Carolinas customers to voluntarily reduce their energy use from 4-10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, to help lessen the energy demand on the grid and reduce the potential of temporary power outages.

Customers can help ease strain on the grid by taking the following steps:

  • Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting.
  • Avoid using major appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m.
  • Turn off any unnecessary devices, unused plug-ins and lights.
  • Electric vehicle owners: Charge midday, when demand is lower.

“We know it’s inconvenient to reduce electric use, but it makes a real difference.” said Gerald Wilson, Duke Energy vice president of grid operations. “We are taking every step to meet our customers energy needs, including maximizing our generation and purchasing power and working with large commercial and industrial customers who have demand response programs. We appreciate our customers’ cooperation, patience and understanding as we work to maintain reliable service across the Carolinas.”

Winter Weather

Prepare NOW For Expected Weekend Snowfall

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 — From Duke Energy

Duke Energy is preparing for a weekend of expected snow and gusty winds accompanied by ongoing frigid temperatures.

The company is urging customers to take steps now to stay safe as conditions worsen.

While dry, powdery snow is less likely to impact power equipment, strong wind gusts can still bring down trees and trigger outages. For safety, Duke Energy crews cannot perform elevated work in bucket trucks when wind speeds reach 30 mph or higher.

What customers should do now:

  • Make a plan and prepare an emergency kit:Charge phones, gather flashlights and extra batteries, and review other critical actions.
  • Download or update the Duke Energy app:Available on the Apple Store and Google Play.
  • Confirm Duke Energy account login info:Log in via My Account or mobile app to review and update contact info and communications preferences.
  • Sign up for outage alerts:Receive outage information and restoration updates by text, phone, or email.
  • Know how to report an outage:Submit reports online, via mobile app, by texting OUT to 57801 or calling 800.POWERON (800.769.3766).
Duke Energy

Duke Energy Warns Customers Of Text Scam Circulating

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Scammers these days seem to take advantage of any situation, and the weekend’s ice storm is no exception. Duke Energy officials report that some customers have received fraudulent text messages that appear to be from Duke Energy, but they are not.

If you receive a text message that indicates you will be impacted by a scheduled power outage, do NOT click any link or download attachments associated with the message.

Customers should avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from businesses or individuals they do not know, and they should contact Duke Energy directly at 1.800.777.9898 between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., to discuss their account or visit company communications channels for the latest updates.

 

Duke Energy

TownTalk: Avoid Utility Scammers With ‘Slow Down, Verify, Report’ Approach

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The phone rings and, when you answer it, you hear a recorded voice that says your power is going to be disconnected. All you have to do is make an easy, online payment to avoid a disruption in service.

Many consumers recognize this for what it is – a SCAM!

And as utility companies like Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas know all too well, their customers often must navigate choppy internet waters to avoid becoming victims of online schemes and scams.

Duke Energy’s Beth Townsend offers some tips to stay safe as the utility recognizes Wednesday, Nov. 19 as the 10th annual Utility Scam Awareness Day—a decade-long commitment to helping communities slow down, verify and stop utility scams.

Townsend said Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas will never:

  • Specify how you must pay
  • Threaten immediate service interruption
  • Ask for personal info or payment details by phone, email or in person

“If you’re targeted, hang up, shut the door, or delete the message,” she said. Contact your utility using the info on your bill or the utility’s official website. And if you ever feel unsafe, call 911.

Townsend, Duke’s East Region director for Government and Community Relations, said the utility received more than 5,600 scam reports in 2025, with 2,338 coming from North Carolina.

“Scammers often demand immediate payment, threaten service cut-off or request payment via prepaid cards or cryptocurrency. Utilities will never do this,” Townsend said.

The most common types of scams, she said, include disconnection threats, links to fake webpages, a promise to mail refund checks and utility worker imposters, she noted.

Customers can protect themselves in several different ways:

 

  • Slow Down: If a payment request feels urgent or suspicious, pause and protect yourself.
  • Verify: Always use the official phone number or website from your bill.
  • Stop the Scam: Report any suspicious contact to your utility and law enforcement.

 

Townsend included the following resources to report scams or to learn more:

 

Click Play!

The Local Skinny! Duke Energy holds Key Leader Update Event

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Duke Energy held a Key Leader Update Event this week. Information is also presented about the importance of line workers.

(Our WIZS written coverage will appear here soon.)

CLICK PLAY!

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Names New Community Relations Manager

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Duke Energy has announced Elizabeth Townsend as its new Government and Community Relations manager, succeeding Tanya Evans, who recently accepted a new position with the company and relocated to South Carolina.

“This is an exciting transition for me after having served in various capacities at Piedmont Community College for the last 17 years,” Townsend said in a press statement. Townsend served most recently as the community college’s vice president for advancement and communications.

“Duke Energy believes our success is tied directly to the success and strength of our communities and the customers we serve, and I couldn’t agree more. Tanya ensured a tradition of responsiveness and community involvement, and I look forward to building upon that commitment,” she said.

As a reminder, Townsend said Duke Energy’s customer service center is available to help with billing and service inquiries, as well as when outages are rerported. That number is 800.452.2777.

Duke Energy monitors storms throughout the state to be ready to respond to outages and emergencies.

Customers who experience an outage during storms can report it by:

  • Visiting duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device
  • Texting OUT to 57801
  • Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800-POWERON
Duke Energy

Winter Weather: Forewarned Is Forearmed

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Meteorologists are watching a cold front march across the Midwest today, and Duke Energy officials are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for the next couple of days. While nobody is predicting frozen precipitation here, things could get a little dicey as blustery winds and single-digit lows combine to make for extreme winter conditions.

Duke District Manager Tanya Evans said Thursday that high winds early Friday could create issues in the area, and utility crews stand at the ready to restore power if outages occur.

National Weather Service meteorologist Jonathan Blaze said an Arctic cold front will blast through the area Friday morning and temps will plunge as the day goes on.

The combination of the arctic air mass and the strong winds will result in very cold wind chills across the region from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.

As winter weather approaches, Duke Energy suggests that residents prepare in advance for outages.

“While there is never a good time to be without power, we recognize that the possibility of outages over the holidays is particularly worrisome for the customers and communities we serve,” said Jason Hollifield, Carolinas storm director. “Our crews are prepared and will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power when outages occur.”

High winds and saturated ground may lead to downed trees, limbs and power lines. These winds can also impede Duke Energy workers’ ability to assess storm damage and restore power, and any outages that occur early Friday could linger into the evening as high wind gusts are forecast throughout the day.

Duke’s 24-hour hotline is 800.559.3853.

Below is a list of suggestions to consider before, during and after a storm:

Before the storm

·       Create (or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable time later. The kit should include everything an individual or family would need for at least two weeks, especially medicines, water, nonperishable foods and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm hits.

·       Keep a portable radio or TV or a NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor weather forecasts and important information from state and local officials.

·       Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices in advance of storms to stay connected to important safety and response information. Consider purchasing portable chargers and make sure they are fully charged as well.

·       Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with special needs – to a safe, alternative location in case an extended power outage occurs, or evacuation is required.

·       Pet owners should arrange to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets; friends’ or family members’ homes; or pet-friendly hotels.

After the storm

·       Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized, as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines.

·       If a power line falls across a car that you are in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

Outage reporting

After a storm hits, restoring power as safely and quickly as possible is our top priority, while keeping our customers informed.

·       Customers who experience an outage during a storm can report it the following ways:

·       Visit duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device.

·       Use the Duke Energy mobile app – Download the Duke Energy App from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play.

·       Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).

·       Call the automated outage-reporting system, at: 800.POWERON (800.769.3766).

·       Visit our interactive outage map to find up-to-date information on power outages, including the total number of outages systemwide and estimated times of restoration.

Understand how Duke Energy restores power

Our crews are ready to respond should outages occur. Learn more about the restoration process following damaging winds.
Duke Energy

Duke Energy Announces Second Year Of Downtown Revitalization Grant Program

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Duke Energy Foundation continues its commitment to help downtown communities across the state through a program poised to award $500,000 in downtown revitalization grants.

The application process is open now, according to Duke Energy District Manager Tanya Evans, and this grant cycle marks the second year to support local businesses through the Duke Energy Hometown Grant Revitalization Program.

In 2021, the foundation provided $1.5 million to more than 380 small businesses across the state as a way to support small business recovery since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press statement, hometown revitalization grants will be awarded in 20 communities across the state. Each community could receive as much as $25,000, Evans said.

Small businesses will partner with a local 501c3 organization, which will create a microgrant program that small businesses will be able to access.

Microgrants may range from $500 to $2,500 per individual business, according to information from Duke Energy. The grant application is open now through May 31, 2022 and is available at duke-energy.com/2022. Grant decisions will be announced in August.

Nonprofits that participated in the 2021 program are not eligible to apply in 2022, Evans said. Working Landscapes in Warren County administered the microgrants in 2021.

“The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to small businesses, and reminded us all how important they are to creating and sustaining vibrant downtowns,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. In a written press statement, De May continued by saying “Our hometown revitalization grants were very well-received across our communities last year. We hope this new wave of funding will continue to help local businesses and storefronts recover from a difficult few years and position them for a more prosperous future.”

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts, and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. Learn more at duke-energy.com/foundation.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Celebrates Line Workers

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— information from Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

Duke Energy and utilities nationwide celebrated “front-line heroes” on Monday, honoring those who keep the power flowing to homes and businesses every day.

Evans wrote in an email sent to WIZS that more than 3,200 line workers are part of the Duke Energy team in the Carolinas, “and we need more.”

She said, “The energy industry estimates 800 entry level line workers are required per year for the next five years in North Carolina alone.”

See more at duke-energy.com.

“We are actively looking for diverse, new talent. We are partnering with Nash Community College to help train for these positions,” Evans said.

But for now Evans said, “Please join us as we salute all of the utility line workers, who are constantly going the extra mile to provide reliable electric service to customers.”

(Duke Energy is an advertising client of WIZS.  This is not a paid ad.)