Duke Energy Corporation: 10-K Risk Factor Changes

Duke Energy’s results of operations depend, in significant part, on the extent to which it can implement its business strategy and goals successfully. Duke Energy is working to meet growing and evolving customer energy needs while balancing reliability, costs and other priorities including the need to modernize its fleet and the regulatory constructs. Duke Energy is subject to business, policy, regulatory, technology, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond its control and may make those objectives difficult to achieve. Federal or state policies could be enacted that restrict the availability of, and increase the costs associated with the use of, fuels or generation technologies, such as natural gas or nuclear power, that enable Duke Energy to reduce its carbon emissions. For example, Duke Energy anticipates that its nuclear stations in North Carolina and South Carolina will continue to qualify for significant tax incentives in the form of nuclear production tax credits as allowed under the IRA and OBBBA. Nuclear energy is a reliable and clean energy source and nuclear tax incentives allowed, including nuclear production tax credits, are expected to reduce the cost of the energy transition for our customers. If such nuclear production tax credits were eliminated or reduced, it could negatively impact our ability to return the anticipated cost benefits to customers. 22 22 22