Duke Energy wants an 18% rate hike for NC customers amid concerns
Duke Energy has proposed an 18% electricity rate hike over two years in North Carolina, citing population and business growth, including data centers, as drivers for grid improvements. The proposal faces strong opposition from thousands of residents and consumer advocates concerned about affordability. In response, the North Carolina House passed a bill aimed at preventing residential customers from subsidizing electricity costs for large data centers.
Duke Energy has requested an 18% increase in residential electricity rates over the next two years for its North Carolina customers, a proposal that has sparked significant public outcry and legislative action.
The utility attributes the need for the rate hike to substantial population and business growth, including the increasing demand from new data centers, which necessitates extensive grid improvements. However, consumer advocates and thousands of residents have vehemently opposed the proposal, citing concerns over affordability and Duke Energy's corporate spending.
During the final scheduled public hearing held in Durham, nearly 200 people rallied against the rate increases, with many sharing emotional testimonies about their inability to afford higher utility bills. Caroline Sparks of Raleigh highlighted the struggle of working families, stating, "North Carolinians are tired of being treated like revenue streams for a monopoly utility."
In response to public sentiment and the rising influence of data centers on energy demand, lawmakers in the North Carolina House passed a bill designed to protect residential customers. State Representative Dean Arp, a Republican from Union County, emphasized that "Data centers must pay their own way," requiring large data centers to enter service contracts that prevent customer subsidies "to the maximum extent reasonably feasible." The North Carolina Utilities Commission is expected to make a decision on Duke Energy's rate proposals by August.