Duke Energy, which had been requesting approval of an 18% residential rate hike from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC), announced late last month that it would lower its requested increase from 18% to 11.6%, amid large public backlash.
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson was one of many North Carolinians who filed testimony with the NCUC in opposition to the hikes.
“That happened after our office objected, along with Public Staff, other intervenors, and many North Carolinians,” AG Jackson tweeted when the news broke. “It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s still too high.”
AG Jackson said his office will continue challenging the updated proposal, arguing that families should not bear unnecessary costs.
“We’ll keep making our case for lower rates – and for making sure families don’t get stuck paying unfair costs for data centers and other large users,” AG Jackson said.
In early July, the NCUC held an all-day hearing regarding the updated request, featuring expert testimony from environmental groups, large companies like Google and Harris Teeter, and Jackson’s Office.
Questions about affordability took center stage.
Commissioner Jeff Hughes McKissick brought up that Duke Energy’s pilot Customer Assistance Program is scheduled to expire Dec. 31, and asked whether low-income customers currently receiving the $42 credit could effectively see their monthly costs jump by about $52 if both the program ends and the rate hike happens.
“That would be the effect,” Duke executive Kendal Bowman responded.
The Utilities Commission is expected to continue hearing testimony before deciding later this year whether to approve Duke Energy’s request.
