Dominion Energy, the electric service provider for nearly 130,000 customers in northeastern North Carolina, has filed a proposal with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) that could raise monthly bills for residential customers by an average of $17.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley has spent much of the past year supporting policies that benefited major pharmaceutical and oil companies. At the same time, North Carolina families faced rising costs for prescriptions, gas, and everyday essentials.
There is an affordability crisis in North Carolina, and Duke Energy is making it worse. North Carolinians should not have to choose between putting food on the table and paying their high utility bill due to rate hikes.
“Investing in rural infrastructure unlocks opportunity,” said Stein. “When we strengthen rural North Carolina, we empower local economies, we connect our people to critical services, and we ensure that no matter where someone lives, we offer them a fair shot at success.”
Duke Energy is continuing its push for higher electricity rates in North Carolina, with a new request filed last week to increase customer bills in order to cover rising fuel and power costs.
When we are counting pennies, fearing layoffs or looking for work, watching crops die, or bills pile up, we often retreat and retrench, close others out. But to stare this down, to build the change we need, there’s no way we can do this but together.
Financial disclosures show that Whatley has earned over $219,660 from investments tied to oil and gas companies, including ConocoPhillips, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Devon Energy, and Shell. His total holdings in the sector are valued at up to $1.39 million.
Many North Carolinians are advocating against the harmful rate hikes by attending public hearings hosted by the Utilities Commission. The next in-person Utilities Commission public hearing will be in Morganton on April 28th.
Looking at a Duke Energy power bill, you wouldn’t see any mention of fuel prices. The extra charges get lumped in with a nonspecific line item. This vague language has caused a lot of confusion among customers who want to know why their electric bill can increase even when their usage goes down.
“Rural communities are the backbone of North Carolina, and it’s important that we hear directly from people across our state… These listening sessions help us focus our efforts and make smart investments in economic opportunity, infrastructure, education, and health care.”