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Duke Energy Selected for Up to $61.8 Million in DOE Grants for Coal Plant Upgrades

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Duke Energy said it was selected by the US Department of Energy for up to $61.8 million in new grant funding to support reliability and refurbishment projects at coal-fired power plants in Kentucky and North Carolina, the company said in a Friday statement.

The latest award follows a previously announced $34 million DOE grant for the Belews Creek Steam Station in North Carolina, bringing total federal funding earmarked for Duke Energy projects at the sites to nearly $96 million.

The utility said it will now enter negotiations with the DOE to finalize the funding amounts.

Under the latest award, East Bend Station in Kentucky is eligible for up to $33.4 million in funding, while units 2 and 3 at the Roxboro Station in North Carolina could receive up to $28.4 million.

Duke Energy said it applied for the grants late last year after the plants were identified as needing refurbishment of critical components to maintain operational reliability.

The company said the projects would help support growing electricity demand across its service territories by extending the performance of existing generating facilities. Duke added that the federal funding would help offset project costs and reduce the portion that would otherwise be passed on to customers.

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