Duke Energy Corp - DUK STOCK NEWS

Duke Energy (DUK) has received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to extend the operating licenses of its Oconee Nuclear Station for an additional 20 years, enabling operations through 2053-2054. This marks Oconee as the first Duke Energy nuclear facility approved to operate for 80 years.

The extension supports Duke Energy's strategy to deliver cleaner energy while maintaining reliability and affordability. In 2024, Oconee implemented power uprate projects adding 45 megawatts across its three units. The company's six nuclear plants currently provide over 50% of Carolinas customers' electricity and more than 96% of the company's clean energy.

The federal nuclear production tax credit incentivizes efficient operations, helping lower customer costs. Duke Energy plans to pursue similar license renewals for its other nuclear facilities, with Robinson Nuclear Plant's application scheduled for April 2025.

Duke Energy Florida and its foundation have announced $75,000 in grants to three Habitat for Humanity organizations in Florida, continuing their commitment to affordable housing initiatives. The funding will be distributed among Habitat for Humanity affiliates: $5,000 to Seminole County and Greater Apopka, $20,000 to Lake Sumter, and $30,000 to Tampa Bay Gulfside. An additional $20,000 will support operational costs.

This latest contribution brings Duke Energy Florida's five-year investment in affordable housing initiatives to over $200,000 in Florida since 2020. The company's employees will also participate in volunteer home-building events in west Orange and Citrus counties. These efforts are part of Duke Energy's broader commitment, which includes $1 million in donations and over 10,000 volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity across all jurisdictions.

Duke Energy Foundation has announced a $600,000 investment in North Carolina's community colleges to strengthen the energy industry workforce. The investment includes $500,000 in grants distributed among 19 community colleges and an additional $100,000 for the Forward Fund to support students in Southeastern North Carolina.

This initiative is part of Duke Energy's broader workforce development commitment, which has exceeded $6.6 million over the past five years. Durham Technical Community College received $25,000 to enhance its Electric Line Technician Training program.

The Forward Fund provides zero-interest loans to cover essential expenses like transportation and child care, enabling students to focus on their studies. The program specifically targets short-term training connected to regional employer demand and high-wage employment opportunities in the energy sector.

Duke Energy Foundation has announced a $500,000 grant program to support South Carolina first responders through its 2025 Helping Emergency Response Organizations (HERO) Grant Program. The initiative, now in its fourth year with total support reaching $2 million, allows government agencies and nonprofits to apply for grants up to $20,000 for weather-related disaster preparedness.

The program focuses on funding equipment upgrades, communication tools, specialized training, and preparedness activities, particularly benefiting low-income communities. Applications are open until April 25. Since 2022, the program has funded 99 microgrants across South Carolina, proving especially valuable during Hurricane Helene's response efforts.

Success stories include the Hodges-Cokesbury Fire Department's utilization of grant-funded UTVs during Hurricane Helene, Travelers Rest Fire Department's acquisition of protective gear, and Anderson County Sheriff's Office's implementation of critical radio equipment for emergency coordination.

Duke Energy Florida (DUK) has launched three new electric vehicle (EV) programs to enhance accessibility and incentivize adoption. The initiatives include:

1. Charger Prep Credit Program: Offers one-time credits to both residential and business customers for EV charging infrastructure installation costs, excluding hardware and permits.

2. Off-Peak Charging Credit Program: Provides residential customers using Level 2 chargers a $7.50 monthly credit for charging during off-peak hours (10 a.m.-6 p.m. and 11 p.m.-5 a.m. weekdays, plus weekends/holidays). This program, formerly a pilot with 3,000 participants, is now permanent with no enrollment limit.

3. Fleet Advisory Program: Offers business customers up to $12,000 to offset fleet electrification study costs. Eligible fleets must have 20+ light-duty vehicles, 5+ medium/heavy-duty vehicles, or 10+ combined vehicles.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has announced the launch of a Recreation Use and Needs Study (RUNS) along the 11 lakes of the Catawba-Wateree River basin from March through October 2025. The mandatory decennial study aims to gather public feedback about Duke Energy-owned recreational and water access facilities.

The study encompasses all Duke Energy public recreation sites across multiple lakes including Lake James, Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, and others. The company has implemented traffic counters and stationed clerks to interview visitors, with QR codes posted at access areas for online surveys.

The study results will be submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2026. Duke Energy Carolinas, which owns 20,700 megawatts of energy capacity and serves 2.9 million customers across the Carolinas, is conducting this assessment as part of its commitment to maintaining public recreational facilities.

Duke Energy Foundation has announced a $500,000 commitment to support storm preparedness initiatives across North Carolina. Organizations can apply for grants up to $25,000 through April 25, 2025. The funding will support various initiatives including inter-agency collaboration programs, innovative planning, community education, and specialized first responder training.

This initiative builds on Duke Energy Foundation's track record of storm preparedness funding, having provided $5.6 million since 2020. Previous grants have supported projects like flood gauges in Wilmington, weather radios in Raleigh, and specialized equipment for Harrisburg's swift water rescue team.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company, serves 8.4 million electric customers and 1.7 million natural gas customers across multiple states. The Foundation, funded by shareholders, provides over $30 million annually in philanthropic support.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has awarded $50,000 in grants to celebrate Black History Month, with funds distributed among five South Carolina nonprofits selected by company employees. Each organization received $10,000 to support their local missions.

The grant recipients include:

• Boys & Girls Club of the Pee Dee Area
• Calvary Children's Home
• Fostering Faithfully
• Greer Relief and Resource Agency
• A Father's Way

The initiative, led by Duke Energy's South Carolina president Tim Pearson, allowed nearly 4,000 employees to nominate qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The Duke Energy Foundation, funded by shareholders, provides over $30 million annually in philanthropic support across their service areas, which include 8.4 million electric utility customers and 1.7 million natural gas customers across six states.

Duke Energy Florida has submitted its 2025 Solar Base Rate Adjustment filing, detailing plans for four new solar energy sites with a total investment of over $521 million. The sites, located in Madison, Sumter, Hernando, and Jefferson counties, will add nearly 300 megawatts of carbon-free energy to the electric grid and are expected to save customers $843 million over their service lifetimes.

Three sites - Sundance, Half Moon, and Rattler renewable energy centers - will be operational by January 2026, while the Bailey Mill center is scheduled for completion by summer 2026. Each 74.9-megawatt site will generate enough power for approximately 23,000 homes and create 150 temporary construction jobs.

The company currently operates more than 25 solar sites producing approximately 1,500 megawatts and plans to build 12 new solar sites between 2025-2027, adding 900 megawatts. Duke Energy Florida projects to have over 6,100 megawatts of utility-scale solar generating capacity online by 2033.