Duke Energy Carolinas kept $21.70 of every $100 paid by North Carolinians in 2024 as pure profit. That’s higher than normal for energy companies and much higher than other industries.
More than 33,000 North Carolina and South Carolina residents have signed the petition asking for an independent review of the system to determine any overcharges on bills and call for the company to issue refunds, if that is the case.
North Carolina was forced to pay nearly $3.5 billion in tariffs since President Trump took office, while the farming industry and rural economy are expected to lose about $1.9 billion and 8,000 jobs. North Carolina households are expected to pay about $800 to $1,300 this year as a result of tariffs.
“North Carolinians have already paid billions in unlawful tariffs – our farmers, our manufacturers, and our communities can’t bear more,” Jackson said in a press release. “I’m taking the federal government to court because they broke the law again, they harmed North Carolinians, and I can prove it.”
About 600,000 children in our state rely on federal food assistance programs such as SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
North Carolina is one of only two southeastern states with a fully running Home Efficiency Rebate program. Energy Saver NC supports residents who want to electrify their homes and use that electricity more efficiently, offering up to $16,000 toward new appliances, better insulation, or other purchases that help a home use electricity more efficiently.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced his opposition to the rate hikes, saying, “Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike is simply too high and comes as the company is also retreating on more affordable clean energy. At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, we should be doing everything we can to make life more affordable, not less.”
Advocates argue that at a time when families are struggling to afford premiums, prescriptions, and medical bills, North Carolina needs leaders who will protect and expand access to care. Whatley’s record shows support for policies that would raise costs and weaken health care security for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein’s Energy Policy Task Force released its interim report last month, with a set of nine recommendations for ensuring that North Carolinians have affordable, reliable, and clean energy supplies as demand for energy skyrockets in the state.
The current rise in home insurance rates places a heavy cost burden on a significant portion of Black households compared to other communities. According to data from Zillow, 19% of Black households nationwide are cost-burdened, compared to 12% of white households, 17% of Hispanic households, and 18% of Asian households.