Tag Archive for: #dukeenergy

VGCC Receives $194K Grant From Duke Energy & Piedmont Natural Gas

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Duke Energy

Vance-Granville Community College today announced a $194,160 investment from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas. The funds will help connect students with hands-on training and career development opportunities.

The investment will be used to expand apprenticeships in the fields of Mechatronics, Industrial Maintenance and Welding, as part of VGCC’s “Business & Industry Connect” program. The college will be able to purchase new equipment, provide tuition supports for students and implement additional training, including the nationally-known “Tooling U-SME” program.

From Left to Right: Kenneth Wilson, Tanya Evans (district manager, Duke Energy), VGCC President Rachel Desmarais, Ken Lewis, Eddie Ferguson. (VGCC photo)

“This grant represents a huge boost to our local industry partners and to students who are looking to energize their careers,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “We appreciate the continuing support of Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas because apprenticeships are part of VGCC’s multi-pronged approach to addressing workforce shortages so that our economy can grow.”

“We are proud to partner with Vance-Granville Community College to connect students with apprenticeship and workforce training opportunities,” said Tanya Evans, district manager, Duke Energy. “These students will help meet the growing and evolving needs of the region’s manufacturing industry.”

This grant is part of Duke Energy’s $35 million investment in North Carolina’s Community Colleges’ focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Individual community colleges could apply for funds through the North Carolina Community Foundation and the Foundation for the Carolinas.

Applications were reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Reports First Storm Outages, Provides Important Reminders

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Please check the WIZS website, Facebook page and listen live to WIZS 1450 AM and 100.1 FM for storm updates. The latest briefing from the National Weather Service can be found any time by clicking here.

-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

We are beginning to see the first storm-related outages this afternoon as Hurricane Dorian storm bands reach our state. And while we aren’t expecting hurricane force winds locally, we do anticipate severe weather conditions which will lead to outages.

Across the state, we are still projecting as many as 700,000 customers or more could experience extended outages from this storm.

How to see outages in your area

See the outage map at www.duke-energy.com/outages.

You can view outages in a few ways. On all devices, you can use the search bar to find a specific address or location.

When looking at the map, you will see circle icons of varying sizes indicating the location and number of customers without power. One outage on the map could represent multiple homes and businesses. Pan the map and select a circle to zoom in on your location.

Or you can select the zoom (+/-) in the lower right corner of the map, and then use the mouse to drag left, right, up or down to navigate to the location you want to view. Or, you can select the zoom (+/-) in the lower right corner of the map, and then use the mouse to drag left, right, up or down to navigate to the location you want to view.

On a mobile device, use the pinch open gesture to zoom in and the pinch close gesture to zoom out, and then use the drag gesture to move the outage map to the desired location.

Email and text communication

We have been sharing prepare messages and updates with customers who have email addresses registered with us. In addition, a text message was sent today to customers who do not have an email on file with us:

“Duke Energy Storm: Dorian is bringing high winds & excessive rainfall to parts of our state. Prepare for dangerous conditions & extended outages. Our crews are nearby and ready to move as soon as conditions allow.  Visit https://duk.us/06 for latest info. Heed all warnings and stay safe. Text STOP to cancel.”

 Outage reporting  

Customers who experience an outage during the storm can report it by:

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

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

Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800.419.6356.

For storm or power restoration updates, follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy). See the outage map at www.duke-energy.com/outages.

Important reminders

The following tips can help you and your family stay safe if the power goes out:

  • 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.
  • Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices in advance of the storm 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 make arrangements to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets; friends’ or family members’ homes; or pet-friendly hotels.
  • Report all power line hazards using the following phone numbers:
  • Duke Energy Carolinas customers – 800.769.3766
  • Duke Energy Progress customers – 800.419.6356
  • Please do not use 911 to report a downed power line unless it is a life-threatening emergency. If a power line falls across a car that you’re in, stay in the car and dial 911. 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.Click here for a video demonstration and to read more about safety around power lines.
Duke Energy

Duke Energy Releases 13th Annual Sustainability Report

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-Press release and additional information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

We are pleased to share Duke Energy’s latest Sustainability Report, which highlights how the company is charting a path to a cleaner, smarter energy future for customers. Released this morning, the report shows a company continuing to shift from coal to natural gas with a greater reliance on renewable energy, a company transforming the customer experience by investing in new technologies that help customers make smart energy decisions and save money, and a company that offers electric rates below the national average in all customer classes and all service areas for the fifth consecutive year.

A few highlights include:

  • As of year-end 2018, we owned or contracted over 7,100 megawatts of wind, solar and biomass energy. This includes 500 megawatts of solar added in North Carolina during the year, which helped the state remain second in the nation for solar capacity.
  • Our energy efficiency initiatives helped customers reduce energy consumption and peak demand by more than 16,700 gigawatt-hours and 5,900 megawatts, respectively, since 2008. This reduction in consumption is more than the annual usage of 1.25 million homes, and the peak demand reduction is equivalent to 10 power plants each producing 600 megawatts.
  • We installed 1.6 million smart meters last year, giving 62% of our total customers access to real-time information to help make smarter energy decisions.

Also reflected is how the company is contributing to North Carolina’s positive growth. During 2018, for example, we helped attract more than 4,000 new jobs and $2.4 billion in business investment here.

We continue to be proud of this important work for our customers and appreciate your interest and support. For more information on the 2018 Sustainability Report, I encourage you to view our news release included, in part, below:

Duke Energy News Release:

Duke Energy continues to generate cleaner energy at prices below the national average for its 7.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Those facts were spelled out today in the company’s 13th annual Sustainability Report – a report card on the company’s progress at meeting its sustainability goals. The report can be found here – and a PDF copy for download can be found here.

“Duke Energy is successfully reducing our environmental impact while keeping electric prices low for customers,” said Cari Boyce, senior vice president, stakeholder strategy and sustainability. “It’s not a question of clean or affordable. We’re safely and reliably achieving both.”

Among the highlights in this year’s report:

  • In the six states where Duke Energy has retail electric customers, the company’s electric rates were below the national averages, according to data from the Edison Electric Institute.
  • Duke Energy relies on a balanced energy mix that includes carbon-free nuclear, lower-cost natural gas, hydroelectric and coal. In 2018, nearly 38 percent of the energy produced by the company was carbon-free.
  • Duke Energy-owned and purchased renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric power) was equivalent to roughly 9.3 percent of its generation mix in 2018 – reflecting an 11 percent increase compared to 2017.
  • The company’s use of coal has dropped more than 50 percent from 2008 to 2018 – from 63 million tons annually to 29 million tons. The use of cleaner-burning and lower-cost natural gas has spurred much of that reduction.
  • Duke Energy’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions remained roughly flat in 2018 – despite producing 2 percent more energy versus the previous year. The company’s carbon intensity, the amount of CO2 produced per kilowatt-hour generated, fell 2 percent from the previous year. Overall, the company’s carbon emissions have dropped 31 percent since 2005.
  • Duke Energy established new goals in the report. One is to reduce water withdrawals by its generation fleet by 1 trillion gallons by 2030 – compared to its 2016 mark of 5.34 trillion gallons.
  • Duke Energy is also investing more in energy storage. The company is looking to install more than 400 megawatts (MW) of battery storage over the next 15 years. Today, work is underway at the Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station in South Carolina to increase its pumped storage output by more than 300 MW.
Duke Energy

Duke Energy Down to Fewer Than 30 Outages in Aftermath of Winter Storm Diego

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-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

The sun is shining (finally!) in NC, and that means this should be a great day for MELTING SNOW and ICE! We are wrapping up the few remaining outages in our region. At this time, we are down to fewer than 30 outages affecting 250 customers across my 10-county district.

Estimated restoration times for the remaining customers have been posted to our website.

We deeply appreciate the patience our customers have shown, and we’re doing all we can to restore every customer as fast as possible. Unless conditions change dramatically, this will be my final update regarding Winter Storm Diego.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Outage & Safety Info

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From Duke Energy Progress

Safety reminders

· If you plan to use a generator due to a power outage, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safe and proper operation. Operate your generator outside. Never operate it inside a building or garage.

· Don’t use grills or other outdoor appliances or equipment indoors for space heating or cooking, as these devices may omit carbon monoxide.

· Check and restock your emergency kits with flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods, medicines, etc. Also, ensure a portable, battery-operated radio, TV or NOAA radio is on hand.

· Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees or limbs in contact with lines. Please report downed power lines to Duke Energy.

· If a power line falls across a car that you’re 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.

· If you are driving and encounter emergency responders or other roadside work crews, remember to MOVE OVER, it’s the law in North Carolina and South Carolina, and a good practice for all drivers.

· Don’t use outdoor appliances or equipment indoors for space heating or cooking, as these devices may omit carbon monoxide. The following are symptoms of CO poisoning:

· Flu-like symptoms

· Headache

· Drowsiness

· Ringing sensation in the ears

· Nausea

· Blurred vision

· Chest pains

· Light-headedness or dizziness

· If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, open doors and windows, leave your home / business and consult a physician.

Reporting outages

Customers who experience an outage during the storm have multiple ways on how to report it:

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

· Call the automated outage-reporting system at 800.POWERON for Duke Energy Carolinas customers and 800-419-6356 for Duke Energy Progress customers.

· Report an outage or view current outages online at www.dukeenergyupdates.com

· Duke Energy also will provide updates on its social media channels to keep customers informed if significant outages occur:

· Duke Energy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DukeEnergy

· Duke Energy on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DukeEnergy

Stay inside, safe and warm.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Restores Power to Majority of Local Area

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-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

Duke Energy has made tremendous progress in restoring customers’ power yesterday and this morning. I am pleased to report that we have restored power to most, and in some areas all, of our customers in Person, Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin Counties. However, we are not letting our guard down. We will continue to work until every customer is back on, and if any additional outages occur, we still have the crews in place to respond if necessary.

I encourage you to check the online outage maps for information about any remaining outages.

Backed by more than 10,000 people from the Carolinas and at least 7 other states, we have restored more than 1.1 million customers in less than 4 days. A photo gallery has been created to show Tropical Storm Michael’s damage and restoration efforts across the Carolinas. It is available here – click on ‘Scenes from Hurricane Michael’ to view the images.

Tanya Evans

District Manager

Duke Energy

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Update: 27K+ Without Power Locally, Restoration Could Take Days

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-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

After an intense evening of wind and rain, Duke Energy has restored power to 180,000 customers in the Carolinas in the wake of Tropical Storm Michael. This morning, over 430,000 customers remain without power in the Carolinas. You can always check our outage map<https://www.duke-energy.com/outages/current-outages> for county-specific information, but currently, here are the outage numbers in the local district:

  • Caswell – 5,849
  • Edgecombe – 190
  • Franklin – 5,749
  • Granville – 8,832
  • Halifax – 425
  • Nash – 5,080
  • Person – 5,485
  • Vance – 9,351
  • Warren – 3,459
  • Wilson – 26

We will provide estimated power restoration times once field crews complete damage assessments, which could take up to 24 hours. Some outages could take several days to repair.

6,000 workers – including power line technicians, damage assessors and tree specialists – are responding to the storm’s impact in the Carolinas. Additional repair crews from Florida and the Midwest are traveling to the Carolinas to assist.

For the latest storm or power restoration updates, visit https://www.dukeenergyupdates.com/michael/carolinas – or follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy).

Powerline safety:

  • Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging.
  • Consider all power lines – as well as trees, limbs and anything else in contact with power lines – energized and dangerous.
  • If a power line falls across a car that you’re 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.

Click here<https://illumination.duke-energy.com/articles/what-happens-when-something-touches-a-power-line> for a video about power line safety. You are welcome to share this on your social media channels.

Outage reporting:

Customers who experience an outage during the storm can report it by:

  •  Visiting www.duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device.
  • Texting OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).
  • Calling the automated outage-reporting system at
  • DEC: 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766)
  • DEP: 800.419.6356<tel:800.419.6356

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible

Duke Energy

Duke Energy in Need of 5,000 Hotel Rooms for Power Crews

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-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

Duke Energy is looking for approximately 5,000 hotel rooms to house power restoration crews coming to the region to assist with storm restoration. There is a significant shortage of hotel rooms due to coastal evacuations. We anticipate many festivals and local events around the state will be canceled due to the weather.

My request is that you accelerate your decision to postpone or cancel these events to free up hotel rooms for power restoration crews. We are hoping that decisions will be made as soon as possible so we can begin deploying crews Thursday night near areas of expected significant damage. Thank you for your assistance.

-Tanya Evans

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Provides Tips for Surviving Days, Possibly Weeks, Without Power

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-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

Based on NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations, Hurricane Florence is now a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. Further intensification will occur over the next 24-36 hours and the forecast calls for Florence to remain a category 4 hurricane until landfall. We anticipate significant widespread outages from a storm of this magnitude based on current projected tracks. Historical data and our company experience show that complete restoration from a major hurricane could take multiple days to several weeks depending on the extent of the actual damage, resources available and conditions following the storm such as flooding.

Speaking of resources, Duke Energy has a detailed storm response plan, which is based on information from our meteorologist, and power restoration crews are now preparing to travel. We are also procuring materials and supplies and staffing plans are underway. Additionally, each power plant has a storm prep checklist that helps ensure we take the appropriate protective actions. At our coal ash plants, we have already been taking steps to prepare our ash basin and cooling pond sites for Hurricane Florence.

As we review our plan and safety protocols, it’s important to note that our crews cannot restore power in bucket trucks during high winds. Heavy rains could lead to flooding which further impacts damage assessment and restoration. Duke Energy is encouraging customers to be prepared for multi-day outages as Hurricane Florence rapidly intensifies and pushes towards the North Carolina coast.

Nursing homes, assisted living facilities and long-term care businesses should be prepared with their own, individual facility emergency plans and to take the necessary actions to ensure the safety of their patients in the event that they are without power. Again, if the forecast holds true, this will likely be a multi-day – possibly multi-week – restoration effort, and we will not be able to include them in a priority restoration plan.

We have several options for our customers to stay informed and report an outage:

*         Access outage maps online at www.duke-energy.com/outages

*         Customers can text OUT to 58801 to report an outage from their mobile phone. Be sure to use the mobile phone associated with your account.

*         Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800-769-3766 for Duke Energy Carolinas customers and 800-419-6356 for Duke Energy Progress customers.

*         For storm or power restoration updates, follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/duke.energy).

VGCC receives $200,000 grant from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas to connect students with apprenticeship opportunities

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— press release and picture provided by VGCC

VGCC receives $200,000 grant from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas to connect students with apprenticeship opportunities

HENDERSON, N.C. – Vance-Granville Community College today announced a $200,000 investment from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas. The funds will be used to connect students with hands-on training and career development opportunities.

The investment, from the Duke Energy Foundation, will support the “Vanguard Apprenticeship Collaborative,” a VGCC initiative designed to cultivate highly skilled workers for partnering companies in a number of industries. Grant funds will provide scholarships to adult students who are accepted into registered apprenticeship programs. Funds will also be used to purchase some equipment used for technical training and other supplies.

“Apprenticeships are key to meeting the workforce needs of our region’s industries while also supporting students’ academic and career success, and this new grant will allow Vance-Granville to continue to grow this exciting initiative,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC. “On behalf of our current and future apprentices and our local employers, we sincerely appreciate the strong support of our partners at Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas.”

From left, VGCC Vice President of Institutional Research & Technology Dr. Ken Lewis, TechHire grant project manager Kenneth Wilson and (at far right) President Dr. Stelfanie Williams accept a symbolic check representing the new grant from Duke Energy District Manager Tanya Evans (third from left). (VGCC photo)

“We are proud to partner with Vance-Granville Community College to connect students with apprenticeship and workforce training opportunities,” said Tanya Evans, Duke Energy district manager. “These students will gain valuable hands-on experience while directly helping meet the needs of the region’s industries.”

This grant is part of Duke Energy’s $35 million investment in North Carolina’s Community Colleges’ focus on technical education and support of business and industry. Individual community colleges could apply for funds through the North Carolina Community Foundation and the Foundation for the Carolinas. Applications were reviewed by a committee of representatives from Duke Energy, NC Community College System and NC Department of Commerce.

About Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College, one of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System, is the local source for higher education and training in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, north of the Research Triangle. Established in 1969, VGCC today serves students at four campuses (one in each county of the service area) and online. The college offers more than 40 curriculum programs, as well as occupational certifications, continuing education, adult education, customized training for employers and the first two years of a four-year degree. For more information, visit www.vgcc.edu.

About Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.

Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders at a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit https://www.duke-energy.com/foundation.

Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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(Both VGCC and Duke Energy are advertising clients of WIZS.  This is a news release.  This is not a paid advertisement.)