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Two new North Carolina solar farms owned by a subsidiary of Duke Energy have begun generating electricity. And for the first time, they're selling it to the company's regulated consumer side.

The EPA says plants in four states will have to close the coal ash ponds months or years ahead of schedule. Coal ash is the substance that remains when coal is burned to generate electricity.

The General Assembly gave Duke Energy the ability to issue the bonds to get reimbursed, rather than go through normal rate case requests with state regulators. The utility says that resulted in $300 million in savings.

Duke Energy does not have wind farms in the Carolinas, but the utility says wind energy could be part of its long-term strategy to cut carbon emissions from electricity generation. CEO Lynn Good hinted recently that the Charlotte-based company is looking at offshore wind energy along the Atlantic Coast. 

¼ª²ÊÍøÍøÕ¾'s Dave DeWitt speaks with Elizabeth Ouzts from the Energy News Network

Duke Energy has reached financial settlements totaling $215 million with a group of insurers it sued four years ago to recover costs for cleaning up coal ash.

Republican state senators passed three new measures along party lines that aim to change North Carolina election law. Meanwhile in the state house, a long-awaited 47-page energy bill made a controversial debut, and municipalities around the state celebrate Juneteenth for the first time against the backdrop of ongoing conversations about how to teach history in public schools.

Duke Energy is asking regulators to approve a $56 million plan to expand electric vehicle charging in North Carolina. It includes an option for privately owned charging stations at homes and businesses.

Regulators have given final approval to rate increases that begin June 1 for customers of Duke Energy's two North Carolina divisions.

Duke Energy and North Carolina political leaders are fighting back against a Florida hedge fund that wants to break up the company.