As the state of North Carolina widens its probe into utility Duke Energy’s surprise ouster of its just-named CEO, officials there and in Florida are increasing their scrutiny of a problem-laden repair of a now-idled nuclear powerplant owned by acquired utility Progress Energy as a factor in the boardroom coup.
Charlotte-based Duke—now the nation’s largest electric utility—drew the ire of state regulators when its board forced out William D. Johnson as CEO less than 24 hours after closing the deal for Progress Energy, which would create a $32-billion entity. Both companies had testified to the North Carolina Utilities Commission that Johnson, who had been CEO of Progress Energy, would serve as chief of the new company.