The bill also would have allowed Duke Energy to bill customers for the construction cost of plants that haven't yet been built.

Duke Energy would be allowed to avoid a fast-approaching climate change goal and charge North Carolina customers now for future power plants under the terms of a bill on the way to Gov. Josh Stein.

Gov. Josh Stein vetoed Senate Bill 266, blocking delays to 2030 emissions goals. Stein opposed Duke’s use of upfront customer charges for unbuilt power plants.

Gov. Josh Stein vetoed Senate Bill 266, blocking delays to 2030 emissions goals. Stein opposed Duke’s use of upfront customer charges for unbuilt power plants. Critics argue the bill shifts ...

Duke Energy would be allowed to avoid a fast-approaching climate change goal and charge North Carolina customers now for future power plants under the terms of a bill on the way to Gov. Josh Stein.

Monday, Republican senators introduced a bill entitled “Energy Security and Affordability Act,” SB 261, which would repeal state requirements for Duke Energy to meet carbon reduction by 2030.

The current state law requires Duke Energy to reduce carbon emissions by 70% of 2005 levels by 2030.