Duke Energy has once again been named one of America’s Most JUST Companies, ranking 57th overall in the prestigious list. This recognition, for the second consecutive year, highlights the company’s commitment to prioritizing customers and employees in its clean energy transition.
Katherine Neebe, Duke Energy’s chief sustainability & philanthropy officer and senior vice president, national engagement and strategy, expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment, stating, “Our long-term success is deeply intertwined with the health and well-being of the communities we serve, and it’s an honor to be recognized by JUST Capital as a JUST 100 company.”
To determine the rankings, JUST Capital, in collaboration with CNBC, analyzed corporate data to evaluate how the nation’s largest companies perform on the issues that matter most to Americans. Duke Energy scored high on various factors, including paying a fair wage, creating jobs in the U.S., supporting workforce training and retention, providing benefits and work-life balance, minimizing pollution, and protecting customer privacy.
In its Impact Report, Duke Energy outlines its clean energy transition, goals, performance, and progress on strategic business priorities. The company plans to invest $145 billion over the next decade to fund critical energy infrastructure, supporting the path to net zero. This investment is expected to generate significant economic output, property taxes, and job opportunities.
Duke Energy is also committed to human capital management and aims to increase diversity across its workforce. The company recently set new aspirational goals of 23% people of color and 28% women.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, Duke Energy is actively working towards a just transition. The company has released its Just Transition Approach, which outlines its strategy for retiring coal by 2035, pending regulatory approval. This approach ensures that the workforce and communities where Duke Energy operates are prepared for long-term success.
Furthermore, Duke Energy prioritizes supply chain resiliency, with a significant investment of $14 billion in supplier goods and services in 2022. The company allocated a substantial portion of this spending to local and diverse suppliers, contributing to the economic growth of various communities.
Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company, is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. Its electric utilities serve millions of customers across several states, while its natural gas unit provides for over a million customers. The company employs thousands of people and is dedicated to executing an aggressive clean energy strategy.
With a goal of at least a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Duke Energy is actively working towards creating a smarter energy future. The company is on track to own or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025, solidifying its position as a leading renewable energy provider in the country. Duke Energy is also investing in grid upgrades, expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies.
The recognition as one of America’s Most JUST Companies further solidifies Duke Energy’s commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. The company’s dedication to customer and employee well-being, along with its ambitious clean energy goals, sets an example for the industry and reinforces its position as a leader in the energy sector.
For more information about Duke Energy and its initiatives, please visit duke-energy.com.
