North Carolina town takes utility giant to court over climate inaction

A lawsuit by Carrboro accuses Duke Energy of ignoring decades of evidence about climate change, increasing fossil fuel use and harming vulnerable communities.

Ivan Penn and Karen Zraick report for The New York Times.

In short:

• Carrboro’s lawsuit claims Duke Energy knew about climate change risks for more than 50 years yet continued expanding fossil fuel operations, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
• The town seeks compensation for damage caused by extreme weather, which it attributes to Duke’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• This case joins a growing wave of lawsuits targeting energy companies for alleged deception about climate impacts.

Key quote:

“This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe that we must be courageous as we call out these injustices and seek change and accountability.”

— Barbara Foushee, mayor of Carrboro

Why this matters:

This case highlights the financial and social toll of corporate inaction on climate change, particularly for smaller communities. It also underscores broader legal and policy battles over who bears responsibility for mitigating the climate crisis.