Duke Energy, NAM Split Over Carbon Proposal

Duke Energy Corp. has parted ways with the National Association of Manufacturers, citing the organization’s stance on climate change policy.

At the end of 2008, Charlotte-based Duke began reviewing its memberships to various groups as part of a cost-cutting measure. According to Duke spokesman Tom Williams, differences over carbon regulation played a role in the Duke’s decision to exit NAM. The company, he said, recognized it would have little influence on NAM’s policies because Duke is not a manufacturer.

Duke is one of the largest utilities in the country and more than a third of its customers are manufacturers. It has been a longtime member of the NAM and was one of the founding organizations for the United States Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of business and environmental groups advocating for a cap-and-trade system.

Duke has pushed for carbon regulation and called a cap-and-trade system which currently being debated in Congress. That legislation, which would set caps on the amount of carbon dioxide that companies can produce, has been opposed by NAM. Businesses would have to buy at least some permits to allow them to produce greenhouse gases.