Duke Energy’s Big Pledge on Conservation

Sister station WGOG reports an announcement this week by a Duke Energy official to grant money to Oconee County’s conservation board is dependent on what happens at the end of a long, complex process. Nevertheless, Shea Airey said, “We’re very happy.” The attorney and chairman of Oconee County’s new conservation bank board spoke upbeat about the expectation that Duke Energy will eventually contribute $600,000 to their efforts to protect private property through conservation. The pledge depends, however, on Duke Energy being able to successfully apply for a new license to operate its Keowee-Toxaway project. It’s dependent on whether the Federal Government agrees to re-license the project three years from now, in 2016.