Citizens for a Responsible Energy Future

Citizens for a Responsible Energy Future (CREF) is an IRS Section 527 political organization funded entirely by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, the regulated electric utility serving much of the Piedmont and western portions of North Carolina. Duke Energy Carolinas has contributed $850,000 to CREF from the organization’s founding in January 2020, making it the sole disclosed donor across all of CREF’s filing periods, according to the group’s IRS Form 8872 filings available through ProPublica’s 527 Explorer.

CREF is led by Scott Gardner, who serves simultaneously as the organization’s president, director, secretary, and treasurer. Gardner is a former Duke Energy regional director for state government affairs. He co-founded CREF with Antonio “Tony” Almeida, who spent more than 30 years at Duke Energy, ultimately serving as vice president of economic development and later as an economic advisor to North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican. Almeida died in 2025.

Since its founding, CREF has intervened in North Carolina primary elections, run advertising campaigns attacking legislators who opposed Duke Energy’s policy priorities, and channeled funds to a super PAC that spent more than $333,000 supporting a Republican legislative leader with active Duke regulatory interests in his district. Duke describes the organization as independent; its sole disclosed funding source is Duke Energy Carolinas’ corporate treasury.

Former Duke employees at the helm

CREF was created at the end of January 2020 by Scott Gardner and Tony Almeida, both Duke Energy alumni. Gardner’s final role at Duke was regional director for state government affairs. Almeida served as a Duke Energy vice president before advising Gov. Pat McCrory (R). The two men have held all officer positions in the organization between them. No other individuals are listed as officers in CREF’s IRS filings.

Duke Energy’s sole disclosed political vehicle in North Carolina

CREF is classified by the IRS as a 527 political organization — a vehicle that can raise and spend unlimited amounts from corporations to influence elections, as long as it does not “expressly advocate” for or against a candidate. Duke Energy Carolinas has contributed to CREF in three tranches since 2020: $500,000 in the first quarter of 2020; $150,000 in the first half of 2021; and $200,000 in the second half of 2023. Duke spokesperson Bill Norton has said the organization is “independent” and that costs are “fully funded by shareholders in accordance with the law.” CREF has no other disclosed donors.

CREF’s activity by cycle

2020 — NC primary elections: CREF deployed nearly all of its initial $500,000 within weeks of receiving it, spending most of the money before North Carolina’s March 2020 primary. The group paid for television ads and mailers promoting at least three candidates, including a former Duke employee running for a legislative seat. EPI first reported on CREF’s activity in November 2020.

2021 — HB 951 and RTO fight: CREF ran ads attacking Republican politicians and large technology companies who supported a study of regional transmission organization (RTO) reform that Duke Energy opposed. EPI reported that CREF’s ad campaign coincided with Duke’s push to pass House Bill 951, a decarbonization bill modified to be favorable to the company.

2026 — Berger primary: After sitting mostly dormant for two years following a $200,000 contribution from Duke Energy Carolinas in 2023, CREF transferred $200,000 to Citizens for NC Jobs Action PAC on Jan. 28, 2026, seven days after that PAC’s formation. The super PAC spent at least $333,000 on television ads supporting Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger’s ultimately unsuccessful Republican primary campaign. CREF’s spending coincided with Duke’s active regulatory proceedings for new gas generation in Berger’s Rockingham County district.