1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing as your constituent to urge you to use your influence with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) to address ongoing delays affecting solar and battery storage project development. These delays are no longer isolated administrative issues—they are creating broader risks for system reliability, increasing costs for ratepayers, and undermining long-term energy planning across the state. Specifically, Commissioner Chairman's April 23 deferral order directing Duke Energy to pause the approval process for solar/battery storage project requests in 2026 needs to be lifted. Timely deployment of solar generation and battery storage is a critical component of maintaining grid reliability, particularly as demand grows and older generation resources retire. When solar and battery storage projects face prolonged regulatory uncertainty, utilities are forced to rely more heavily on existing generation assets or procure short-term capacity at higher cost. This can lead to tighter reserve margins and increased exposure during peak demand periods. The cost impacts are also significant. Solar projects are among the lowest-cost new generation resources available today. When these projects are delayed, utilities may turn to more expensive alternatives, including fossil-based peaking units or market purchases during high-price periods. Ultimately, these higher costs are passed on to customers. In contrast, states that have streamlined interconnection processes—such as Texas and parts of the Midwest—have seen rapid solar deployment that helps stabilize prices and reduce volatility. Project delays also disrupt long-term planning. Developers, utilities, and regulators rely on predictable timelines to coordinate infrastructure investments and meet future demand. When timelines slip unpredictably, it creates uncertainty that discourages investment and complicates resource planning. For example, solar projects paired with battery storage are increasingly being used to provide dispatchable capacity during evening peaks. Delays in these projects can leave gaps in anticipated capacity additions, forcing last-minute adjustments that are often more costly and less efficient. North Carolina’s power bills are already climbing faster than overall inflation, and two pending requests for rate increases by Duke Energy are likely to exacerbate that problem. Increasing solar can offset the volatility of costs for other fuels. Increased legislative attention - your attention - can help ensure that the NCUC reduce bottlenecks like the April 23 deferral order. I respectfully ask that you engage with the Commission to: Promote policies that support efficient integration of solar and storage resources Ensure that regulatory frameworks reflect the importance of cost-effective, reliable clean energy Lift the April 23 deferral order Your leadership on this issue can help protect ratepayers, strengthen grid reliability, and support a more resilient energy future for North Carolina. Thank you for your time and consideration.