Duke Energy wants state regulators to approve an 18% residential rate increase over two years in North Carolina, a change that could add about $34 a month for the average household by 2028. The request landed at a moment when customers have already seen electric bills rise about 22% since 2020. At a public hearing Monday in Raleigh, residents pushed back on both the size of the increase and Duke's handling of billing.
- The case is now before the North Carolina Utilities Commission, which heard in-person comments March 30 at the Dobbs Building in Raleigh. A virtual public hearing is scheduled for April 1 at 6:30 p.m.
- More than 71,000 people had signed a petition by Monday calling for an independent audit of Duke's billing practices and customer refunds.
- Duke says the higher rates are needed to pay for a larger and more resilient electric system as North Carolina adds residents and faces stronger demands on the grid.
- The company also said North Carolina added about 150,000 new Duke customers in the last two years, which required 50,000 new poles and 4,000 miles of wire.
For Durham customers, the case could shape household costs well beyond one billing cycle. Duke said recent high bills were driven mostly by increased usage and state growth, while customers and advocates have also raised concerns online about billing and affordability.
State regulators are still reviewing the case. The proposed increase would affect Duke customers across North Carolina, including in Durham, if approved.