THE TRUE COST
OF POWER
In December 2024, the small town of Carrboro made history by filing the first lawsuit of its kind against an electric utility for climate deception.
The case alleges Duke Energy—the third-largest polluting corporation in the U.S.—has known about climate risks since the 1960s but systematically misled the public while positioning itself as a clean energy leader.
The lawsuit seeks millions in damages for climate-related infrastructure costs, from damaged roads to increased flooding, arguing Duke's decades-long campaign delayed the transition from fossil fuels and worsened the climate crisis.
Through exclusive access to climate scientists, investigative journalists, and frontline communities, this documentary exposes the damning pattern of corporate power run amok—when billions in climate damages are paid by everyone except those who caused them.
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Produced in partnership with NC WARN
18:00 / English with CC (Spanish CC also available)
FEATURING
SUE STURGIS, Research and Communications Manager, Energy and Policy InstituteDREW SHINDELL, Professor of Climate Sciences, Duke University, IPCC Co-AuthorSENATOR GRAIG MEYER, N.C. Senate District 23JUHI MODI, NC Field Coordinator, Appalachian VoicesJIM WARREN, Executive Director, NC WARN
SCREENINGS
MARCH 01 — Carrboro Film FestivalAPRIL — Riverrun FIlm Festival
Plus ongoing community screenings across N.C.
CAMPAIGN DESIGN & IMPACT
Vittles partners with aligned foundations, nonprofits, and organizations to create targeted impact through documentary and popular ed explainers.
THE CHALLENGE
Expose Duke Energy's decades-long climate deception and mobilize North Carolinians, particularly captive customers frustrated by monopoly power and progressive officials, to demand accountability as Governor Josh Stein took office.
OUR APPROACH
This wasn't an awareness campaign. We designed the film to serve three strategic goals simultaneously: shift the narrative from climate despair to energy sovereignty, direct viewers to concrete action (StopDukeEnergy.com, email Governor Stein), and generate earned media criticism of Duke Energy across target channels.
The film was embedded in NC WARN's advocacy infrastructure from day one, distributed through coalition partners, timed to legislative sessions, and designed to convert viewers into advocates.
“Since launching a pressure campaign with this video as the centerpiece, over 250 businesses and organizations and around 15,000 individuals joined the call on Gov. Josh Stein to use every tool in his toolbox to really change Duke Energy's direction.”
— Sarah Heilman, Communications Director, NC WARNHOW WE WORK
This project demonstrates Vittles' strategy-first approach. Before production, we mapped impact dynamics, distribution infrastructure, and success metrics; ensuring the film wasn't a one-off deliverable but a campaign asset tied to measurable outcomes. Learn more about our process →
MAKE IT PLAIN
Duke Energy's messaging relies on the myth of natural gas as a "bridge fuel." We designed this animated explainer with STUDIOSCOPIC to make the science undeniable: natural gas is a fossil fuel, full stop. Climate scientist Drew Shindell explains why it's accelerating the climate crisis, not solving it.
PRODUCTION
Director, Editor, Creative Producer - D.L. AndersonStory Editor, AE - Maura McNamaraStory Research - Justin CookGFX Design, Color - STUDIOSCOPICSound Mix - Sam CostelloProject Producer - Leslie Raymond
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