U.S. Energy Secretary Enthusiastic About Coal During Tour of Duke Energy’s Roxboro Power Facility

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright recently toured Duke Energy’s Roxboro coal plant, highlighting coal as a significant energy source. His visit coincides with the EPA’s rollback of greenhouse gas regulations affecting power plants. Duke Energy received approximately $62 million in federal funding this year to support the maintenance of two coal facilities, although they plan to phase out coal power in North Carolina by 2040. Wright praised coal’s long-standing role in electricity generation, stating, “By far and away, the largest source of electricity is coal. It has been for 126 years in a row.” However, it’s noted that most of North Carolina’s energy now comes from natural gas and nuclear sources.