Last week, advocacy groups and community members gathered around the Durham County Courthouse in protest of the rising electric costs spearheaded by Duke Energy, a major utility corporation.
The rally featured drag performances by Naomi Dix, Pay My Bills Gates, and Jeff Bozos, followed by a rate hike hearing at the courthouse where community members had the opportunity to speak about the damaging effects of high utility bills and Duke Energy’s 18% rate hike request.
The rate hike will have the average consumer paying $34 more per month on their electric bill by 2028. Lines to enter the hearing were long as more than 60 community members spoke at the hearing, and many were waiting to speak.
“I’m here because North Carolinians are tired of being treated like revenue streams for a monopoly utility while working families struggle to keep the lights on. Just this week, I watched my dad put a $3 burrito back in the freezer at Harris Teeter because it was too expensive for him,” said Raleigh resident Caroline Sparks.
Duke Energy is requesting to raise residential rates by 18% over the next two years despite bringing in nearly $5 billion in profit last year. The corporation also actively supports the spread of AI data centers, which increase carbon emissions and contribute to higher electric bills.
“Economically, that doesn’t really work, because we also know that the dollar tomorrow is worth less than the dollar today, and we know that, right now in North Carolina, every single family needs that money today. We are facing increased living costs, increased healthcare costs, increased food costs, and increased gasoline costs,” said Rania Masri, director of organizing and policy at the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network.
The NC Utilities Commission is expected to make a decision about the rate hikes in the fall, and if approved, the changes will take effect in January 2027.
The rate hikes on top of the already high cost of living in North Carolina are a recipe for disaster. North Carolinians are taking a stand against the looming rate hikes by attending public hearings and sharing their comments. Below are details about upcoming hearings that you can attend to make sure your voice is heard:
July 7th at 10 am:
Hearing Room 2115, Dobbs Building, 430 N Salisbury St., Raleigh
August 11th at 10 am:
Hearing Room 2115, Dobbs Building, 430 N Salisbury St., Raleigh
