May 8 (Bloomberg) -- Duke Energy Corp., the owner of utilities in the U.S. Southeast and Midwest, won’t renew its membership in the National Association of Manufacturers partly because of differences over climate policy.

“We are not renewing our membership in the NAM because in tough times, we want to invest in associations that are pulling in the same direction we are,” Duke Chief Executive Officer Jim Rogers said last month in an interview. The association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Republicans “ought to roll up their sleeves and get to work on a climate bill, but quite frankly, I don’t see them changing.”

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke is a founding member of the United States Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of business and environmental groups that seeks to influence legislation on greenhouse gases linked to global warming. The National Association of Manufacturers has opposed mandatory controls, arguing they will harm the economy.

Duke is also dropping the membership because of budget cuts as the company seeks to reduce costs by about $100 million, said Thomas Williams, a company spokesman, in an e-mail.

Maureen Davenport, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Manufacturers, declined to comment on Duke’s departure, saying the association does not discuss specific memberships.

“We have a balanced policy on climate change that brings many users and producers of energy together toward a solution that will retain and create manufacturing jobs,” Davenport said.

Duke’s shares fell 1 cent to $14.18 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The stock has dropped 6 percent this year.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jordan Burke in New York at jburke29@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: May 8, 2009 16:40 EDT