Smoky Mountain News

Congressman Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, who is stepping down this year after spending six years in D.C., announced his next career move this week: directing the lobbying arm of Duke Energy in Washington.

As senior vice president of federal affairs with Duke Energy, Shuler won’t engage in lobbying himself. Under federal rules, retired Congressman must take a yearlong cooling-off period before actively working as a lobbyist.

Shuler’s retirement came as a surprise last winter, a last minute announcement on the eve of the deadline for candidates to declare their intentions. At the time, he said he wanted to spend more time with family rather than splitting his time between D.C. and his Waynesville home.