News Summary
Duke Energy is enhancing its energy grid resilience in South Carolina following the impact of Hurricane Helene. The company’s president, Tim Pearson, is spearheading measures to improve financial performance and community support. Legislative initiatives like House Bill 3309 aim to diversify energy sources and establish customer protections. With innovative technology and infrastructure improvements, Duke Energy is committed to preventing outages and empowering customers through smart home devices. The company is also dedicated to community engagement and economic support.
South Carolina – Duke Energy, which serves approximately 835,500 electric retail customers and 164,000 natural gas customers in South Carolina, is reflecting on its strategies and resilience following the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene. Tim Pearson, the president of Duke Energy’s utility operations in the state, is leading efforts to ensure the financial performance of the company’s regulated utilities while addressing community needs and regulatory relations.
Following Hurricane Helene, Duke Energy reported power outages impacting around 1.34 million customers across the Carolinas, with a substantial portion—over 99%—of those affected in the Upstate region. The hurricane caused extensive damage, prompting Pearson and his team to recognize the pressing need for enhanced resilience in the energy grid. In response, Duke Energy is advocating for legislative measures aimed at both building and enabling new energy generation swiftly within South Carolina.
One critical legislative initiative currently under consideration is House Bill 3309. This proposal seeks to diversify energy sources while establishing customer protections. Duke Energy’s strategy incorporates an “all of the above” approach to energy generation that includes hydrogen-capable natural gas, renewable energies such as solar and battery storage, and advanced nuclear power options.
Duke Energy is also focusing on significant infrastructure improvements to enhance grid resilience. The company has implemented self-healing technology that has proven effective in preventing outages. In fact, this technology helped avert approximately 130,000 potential outages in South Carolina in 2024. Currently, about one-third of Duke Energy customers in the state benefit from this advanced system, which significantly reduces restoration time during outages, particularly during severe weather events like hurricanes.
In addition to technical advancements, Duke Energy is investing in customer engagement initiatives through smart home device programs. These initiatives empower customers to better control their energy usage and manage their bills more effectively via demand-response strategies. The company is also committed to supporting those facing financial hardships, thereby enhancing options for energy savings and assistance programs.
Duke Energy’s involvement in the community is reflected in its efforts to combat hunger in South Carolina, where the Duke Energy Foundation has contributed over $2 million since 2021. This aligns with the company’s broader goal of fostering economic vitality in the communities it serves. Additionally, last year, Duke Energy employees volunteered in community organizations, logging more than 4,500 hours of service.
Tim Pearson, who joined Duke Energy full-time in 2023, has over a decade of experience in government and policy in South Carolina. His background includes advising multiple governors, including Henry McMaster and Nikki Haley, where he served in various roles such as Chief of Staff for Haley. Pearson, who resides in Columbia with his wife and two children, is dedicated to leading Duke Energy’s initiatives to provide reliable, affordable energy while enhancing community relations and addressing regulatory challenges.
As Duke Energy looks to improve the resilience of its energy infrastructure post-Hurricane Helene, the ongoing focus remains on delivering dependable energy solutions for South Carolinians and supporting economic growth throughout the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Duke Energy Leadership Appointments
- Wikipedia: Duke Energy
- Duke Energy Q1 2025 Financial Results
- Google Search: Duke Energy Financial Results
- Q&A with Tim Pearson, Duke Energy President
- Google Scholar: Duke Energy South Carolina
- Higher Demand Pushes Duke Energy Profits
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Duke Energy
- Snake Causes Power Outage in NC
- Google News: Duke Energy Outages
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
