David Boraks

The United Nations climate summit in Egypt closed last weekend with an agreement to create a fund for developing nations dealing with the effects of climate change caused mainly by carbon emissions in rich nations. But there was no movement on efforts to cut heat-trapping pollution that causes global warming — and North Carolina climate experts said this week there's lots more to be done.

Climate change is already quietly costing us millions of dollars, as we try to prepare for extreme weather. In the Columbus County seat of Whiteville on Monday, Duke Energy celebrated the opening of a new electrical substation, part of $30 million in upgrades by Duke to ensure the power grid can withstand the next big hurricane.

A group of 45 scientists, including some who formerly worked for the EPA, is urging North Carolina officials not to approve Duke Energy's plan to build more gas-fired power plants. Duke wants to expand its use of natural gas as part of a plan to reduce and eventually eliminate carbon emissions by 2050.

The U.S. wants to mine lithium for electric vehicle batteries to meet climate change goals. But residents near a proposed open-pit mine object.

Several climate protesters chained themselves to a door and a gate Thursday morning at the private jet terminal at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Since filing its plans, Duke has faced a barrage of criticism from local government leaders, businesses, environmental groups and the attorney general's office.

NC Attorney General Josh Stein says state regulators should reject Duke Energy's proposals for reducing carbon from energy generation and instead, adopt a plan that meets the state's clean energy goals and costs less.

North Carolina's top environmental regulator says the state must keep making progress toward climate goals set four years ago and updated this year. In an interview, Elizabeth Biser also talked about federal funding coming to N.C. and about holding Colonial Pipeline accountable for the massive gasoline in Huntersville two years ago.

Duke Energy's five-year rooftop solar rebate program in North Carolina was supposed to end in July. But the utility says it will add one final application period in January.

Businesses and local governments across North Carolina have set goals for reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. But they say those climate goals could be out of reach unless state regulators require changes in Duke Energy's plan for cutting carbon emissions from energy generation.