McClatchy Washington Bureau

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Duke Energy's chief executive, James Rogers, urged state regulators Monday to approve a conservation program that Rogers said could prevent the need to build costly new power plants.

Speaking before the North Carolina Utilities Commission in Raleigh, Rogers said Duke's Save-a-Watt proposal would be the most ambitious energy efficiency program in the nation.

"If our proposal is approved, we can begin to create a blueprint for a sustainable energy future," Rogers said. "Our company needs to more fully embrace energy efficiency and capitalize on energy efficiency as a zero-emissions fifth fuel."

Save-a-Watt is opposed by church groups, environmental organizations, consumer advocates, the City of Durham and Wal-Mart. Critics say the program would cost customers too much and deliver paltry results.

Read the full story at newsobserver.com.