Duke Energy signs deal to turn pig poop into electricity

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - As one of the nation's largest power providers, Duke Energy has invested large sums in whirring turbines and high tech solar projects.

On Monday it announced a new excrement-to-energy project that could provide power to about 10,000 homes a year.

The utility is partnering with Carbon Cycle Energy, which will build a North Carolina facility to take methane from pig and chicken waste and send it to four of Duke Energy's plants to convert into energy.

Carbon Cycle, based in Boulder, Colorado, said the site of the facility will likely be in Eastern North Carolina and it is expected to begin operations next year.

Duke Energy Corp. is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

_____

This story has been corrected to show that Carbon Cycle Energy will build the facility alone.