North Carolina leads the Southeast U.S. in energy efficiency, according to a new report from the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Under Duke Energy's proposal, customers could subscribe to new, utility-owned solar energy facilities, pay a monthly subscription fee, and receive a bill credit.

Duke Energy is one of the biggest utility companies in the nation, serving customers in half a dozen states. Headquartered in Charlotte, it's one of the biggest employers in North Carolina.

Low- to moderate-income households in North Carolina are now eligible for relief through a new $208 million dollar home upgrade rebate program.

Brooks said routine maintenance on the system, testing, and opportunities to purchase and use power from other states are just some of the big improvements.

Sideris will replace Lynn Good. She is retiring from her role as CEO April 1 after serving at the company for more than two decades, including nearly a dozen years as CEO. Good was also the rare female leader of a Fortune 500 company.

Duke uses a mobile, interactive display to educate customers about how to own, use, charge and benefit from electric vehicles in their own homes.

Regulators in North Carolina have approved Duke Energy's plan to replace some of the utility's coal-fired units with natural gas-fired generation. The

Duke Energy said ice accumulation of a quarter inch or more on trees and branches can lead to fallen power lines creating power outages. Officials said even higher accumulations of a half inch or more of ice can also, cause power lines to sag or fall. Heavy snow of six inches or more can also cause trees and branches to fall on power lines.

Duke Energy is advancing its plan to build new natural-gas power plants in Person and Catawba counties, following state approval of pollution permits. The energy company claims these facilities will emit fewer pollutants than the coal plants they replace,

Duke Energy has made proposals to the North Carolina Utilities Commission and the Public Service Commission of South Carolina to help customers in both states to receive the benefits of solar energy without the commitment and expense of installing and maintaining rooftop panels.

A Duke Energy breach exposed social security numbers, a class action lawsuit says. That could mean payouts for thousands of data leak victims.