The utility sure is popular with federal regulators, from the EPA to the FBI, these days. It can’t seem to go six months without being sued, investigated or charged with something. Recent accusations have included everything from neglecting pollution controls to underreporting profits. Duke is still facing pending investigations into its role in California’s blackouts in 2000 and 2001. In addition, their refusal to seriously consider burying power lines in a city that has suffered massive blackouts, despite popular support for the idea (not to mention the all-too-frequent losses of power during routine thunderstorms in parts of Charlotte), has put a huge dent in their previous image as a customer-oriented utility.
This article appears in Aug 4-10, 2004.
