Duke Energy Appoints Tim Pearson as South Carolina State President

News Summary

Duke Energy has named Tim Pearson the new state president for South Carolina, succeeding Mike Callahan. Pearson will oversee regulatory relations and community outreach while also introducing a new natural gas power plant project in Anderson County, set to begin construction in 2027. Under his leadership, Duke Energy aims to navigate industry challenges and expand its clean energy initiatives. The company remains committed to serving millions of customers while supporting local communities through various initiatives.

South Carolina

Duke Energy has appointed Tim Pearson as the new South Carolina state president, effective November 1. Pearson will replace Mike Callahan, who has been promoted to senior vice president and treasurer following the retirement of Karl Newlin. In his new role, Pearson will oversee regulatory and government relations for Duke Energy in South Carolina and manage legislative, rate, and regulatory initiatives.

As South Carolina state president, Pearson, who is 42 years old, will work closely with the corporate and regulatory strategy team. His responsibilities will also include leading community relations and infrastructure outreach throughout the state. The announcement of Pearson’s appointment was made by Lynn Good, the chair and CEO of Duke Energy, who emphasized the critical skills and expertise he brings, which will be vital in navigating current challenges in the utility industry.

Career Background

Pearson joined Duke Energy full-time as vice president of government affairs in 2023 after a stint as an advisor and consultant. He brings over a decade of experience in government and policy within South Carolina, previously serving as an advisor to several governors, including a role as chief of staff for Nikki Haley. He also has experience as a consultant for Henry McMaster’s campaigns.

Callahan, the outgoing state president, has led Duke Energy’s efforts in South Carolina for five years. During his 21 years with the company, where he started as a financial analyst, he has held various leadership roles, including vice president of investor relations. Callahan’s transition to senior vice president and treasurer is part of Duke Energy’s broader organizational changes.

In addition to Pearson’s appointment, Tigerron “Tiger” Wells will take on the role of vice president of government affairs. Wells has significant experience in Duke Energy’s lobbying efforts at the State House. Meanwhile, Heather Shirley Smith and Rick Jiran will continue to manage regulatory matters and community relations, respectively, ensuring stability amid the leadership transitions.

New Natural Gas Power Plant Initiative

In a strategic move to enhance energy production, Duke Energy plans to submit an application to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina seeking approval to construct a new natural gas power plant in Anderson County. The project is set to break ground in the summer of 2027, with a goal to start serving customers by early 2031. This facility is a significant addition to the infrastructure aimed at meeting the energy needs of nearly 860,000 retail electric customers spread across 30 counties in South Carolina.

Duke Energy is committed to extensive community outreach during the planning and construction phases of the new energy center. This outreach will focus on providing information to the local population and gathering feedback regarding the project.

Company Overview and Future Plans

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke Energy serves approximately 8.6 million customers across multiple states and boasts an energy capacity of 55,100 megawatts. The company is actively transitioning toward cleaner energy solutions, targeting net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by the year 2050. This initiative aligns with the broader industry trends toward sustainable energy production.

Recently, over 41,000 customers in South Carolina experienced power disruption due to damages from Hurricane Helene. In response, the Duke Energy Foundation has allocated $500,000 in grants to various emergency response organizations to boost preparedness efforts. Over the last four years, the foundation has invested $2 million in grants to support 137 agencies across South Carolina.

To meet the rising energy demand, especially in manufacturing and data centers, Duke Energy collaborates with GE Vernova for the development of gas turbines. This collaboration is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance energy efficiency and reliability for its customers.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Duke Energy News Release
• Google Search: Duke Energy natural gas plant
• Greenville Business Magazine
• Wikipedia: Duke Energy
• Business Insights on Duke Energy
• Google News: Duke Energy updates