In a move to champion consumer rights, the eminent non-profit Consumers’ Research has initiated a campaign spotlighting Duke Energy’s shift in focus from reducing electricity costs for North Carolinians to endorsing a politically-tinted agenda.

Last Thursday, Consumers’ Research corresponded with the North Carolina Utilities Commission, pointing out Duke Energy’s noticeable emphasis on what many describe as “woke” programs.

Alongside this, they launched a dedicated platform to make consumers aware of Duke’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) undertakings. A deeper dive reveals that ESG’s primary aim is to encourage eco-friendly transitions and left-leaning social values within the corporate world.

Will Hild, the Executive Director of Consumers’ Research, iterated their longstanding commitment as a guardian of consumer interests. In the letter, he remarked, “As the nation’s oldest consumer protection organization, Consumers’ Research’s purpose is to educate consumers on issues that impact them and amplify their voice in the marketplace.”

He further voiced his concerns about Duke’s practices stating, “Duke’s operations have become a laundry list of expensive boondoggles and distractions.” This pertains to the company’s move toward rate hikes and considerable executive compensation increases.

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Lending weight to their commitment, Consumers’ Research also dispatched mobile billboards with messages critical of Duke Energy. These were positioned at the company’s Charlotte headquarters and also in proximity to a California event where Duke board member W. Roy Dunbar was scheduled to speak on ESG’s influence on business profitability.

In a backdrop to this, Duke Energy, one of America’s leading power utility giants, has prominently exhibited its ESG commitments on its official site. Their mission, as quoted, is: “We strive to accelerate the transition to renewables and more sustainable energy. And in doing so, we’re helping to create a cleaner energy future for all.”

However, this shift towards green energy isn’t without its implications. Hild, in his letter, stated, “Perhaps the most abusive use of Duke’s resources has been their political advocacy of anti-consumer ‘net zero’ policies which they boast about supporting at both the national and state level.” There’s also a voiced concern about Duke Energy’s move to align executive paychecks with climate initiatives.

Adding to the financial dimension, Duke Energy has publicly declared a string of rate hikes aimed at amplifying the reliability of their services and to underpin their thrust into renewable energy.

Such announcements inevitably raise eyebrows, especially when reports suggest an impending rate increment of approximately 20% in North Carolina over the coming three years.

Furthermore, Duke Energy’s proclaimed workforce composition, aiming for 23% Black workers and 28% female workers, has been deemed as overly prescriptive. Hild didn’t mince words expressing his disapproval, branding it a potential breach of civil rights and anticipating resultant legal actions.

Lastly, raising more questions on Duke Energy’s outreach activities, Consumers’ Research highlighted the company’s backing of a “Youth Pride Carnival” last year, which notably included a drag show for adolescents.

As of now, Duke Energy has not provided a statement on these revelations.

It is time for public utilities, municipalities and corporations to get out of the ESG and DEI movement and focus on the people, the consumers who are paying a high price for what amounts to a woke agenda.