*CITIZEN ALERT*

Duke Energy Rate Increase Hearing Scheduled for Tomorrow

North Carolina residents will have an opportunity to make their voices heard regarding Duke Energy Carolinas’ proposed rate increase at a public hearing scheduled Today!

Public Hearing Information

Date: June 3, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Durham County Courthouse
501 South Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701

This hearing is part of Docket No. E-7, Sub 1329, in which Duke Energy Carolinas is seeking approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) for a substantial increase in customer rates.

What’s Being Proposed?

According to Duke Energy’s filing:

• Duke is seeking approximately $1 billion in additional revenue over two years.

• A typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month could see:

  • An approximately 11.9% increase in the first year.

  • An additional 3.9% increase in the second year.

• Duke is also requesting a 10.95% return on equity, which represents the return provided to shareholders.

Because Duke Energy operates as a regulated monopoly in much of North Carolina, customers do not have the option to switch to another electric provider if rates increase.

Why This Matters

Electricity is not a luxury. It is an essential service that powers our homes, preserves food and medication, allows us to work, and supports the health and safety of our families.

North Carolinians are already struggling under the weight of inflation, rising housing costs, increasing insurance premiums, and higher grocery bills. For seniors, retirees, and families on fixed incomes, another utility increase means difficult choices between necessities.

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is responsible for determining whether Duke Energy has met its burden of proving that the requested increase is necessary, reasonable, and in the public interest.

Citizen Participation Matters

Public comments become part of the official record. Whether you support or oppose the proposed increase, citizen participation helps ensure that regulators hear directly from the people who will be affected by their decision.

As advocates, we criticize government agencies for acting without sufficient public input. This hearing is an opportunity to do more than complain—it is an opportunity to participate.

A democratic republic works only when citizens actively participate and hold institutions accountable. Yet We the People understand that corporate influence and concentrated economic power have tilted the playing field in favor of large organizations with vast resources. While citizens may not currently have the same influence as major corporations, public engagement remains one of the most important tools available to demand accountability and protect the public interest.

Statement Submitted to the North Carolina Utilities Commission

The following statement was submitted regarding Duke Energy’s proposed rate increase:

---

Statement Opposing Duke Energy’s Proposed Rate Increase

Docket No. E-7, Sub 1329

Good evening. My name is Amy.

I am speaking not only for my own family, but also as an advocate who regularly speaks with people across North Carolina and neighboring communities. I hear from working families, retirees, veterans, disabled individuals, and people living on fixed incomes. The message I hear repeatedly is that people are struggling, and they cannot afford yet another increase in their electric bills.

I respectfully oppose Duke Energy’s proposed rate increase.

Duke Energy operates as a government-regulated monopoly. Customers cannot shop for a lower-cost provider or take their business elsewhere. Because consumers have no meaningful choice, the responsibility falls on this Commission to ensure that rates are fair, reasonable, and truly necessary.

North Carolinians are already facing tremendous financial pressure. Inflation has increased the cost of food, housing, insurance, and other necessities. In my own community of Kannapolis, my monthly mortgage payment increased because of increases reflected through my escrow account. That is an increase of nearly 50 percent to my mortgage payment. I have spoken with retirees and other homeowners on fixed incomes who are struggling to remain in their homes because their incomes have not increased to keep pace with these rising costs. Families are being squeezed from every direction.

The people who will be hurt the most by this proposed increase are the people least able to afford it. Many seniors, disabled residents, and working families do not receive annual income increases that match the rising cost of living. There is simply no additional income available to absorb higher utility bills.

Electricity is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Families need it to heat and cool their homes, preserve food and medicine, and care for their loved ones. When utility costs increase, people cannot simply choose to go without electricity. They must cut back somewhere else.

I also ask the Commission to carefully examine Duke Energy’s burden of proof. The company should be required to demonstrate that every dollar of this requested increase is necessary, prudent, and in the public interest. Duke should not automatically pass costs on to captive customers simply because it operates as a monopoly.

I am also concerned about the requested return on equity for shareholders. Before North Carolina families are asked to pay more for an essential service, the Commission should ensure that investors are not being prioritized over ratepayers who are already struggling to make ends meet.

As someone who speaks with people across our state, I can tell you that citizens are frustrated. These large monopolies continue to seek higher revenues while ordinary families bear the burden. We The People want accountability, transparency, and meaningful protection from excessive rate increases.

I respectfully ask the Commission to hold Duke Energy to its burden of proof, carefully scrutinize the proposed return to shareholders, and reject this increase that is not clearly shown to be necessary, reasonable, and in the best interests of North Carolina consumers.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

---

Agencies Contacted

This statement was submitted to:

• North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC)

• North Carolina Public Staff (Consumer Advocate Division)

TAKE ACTION: MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

If you are concerned about Duke Energy’s proposed rate increase, you can submit comments directly to the agencies involved in this case.

North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC)

Docket No. E-7, Sub 1329

Website:
https://www.ncuc.gov

Public Contact Page:
https://www.ncuc.gov/contactus.html

Mail:
North Carolina Utilities Commission
4325 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4325

---

Public Staff – Consumer Advocate Division

The Public Staff represents the interests of utility customers before the Utilities Commission.

Website:
https://publicstaff.nc.gov

Mail:
Public Staff – North Carolina Utilities Commission
4325 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4300

Phone:
(919) 733-2262

Toll-Free:
1-866-380-9816

Final Thoughts

Regardless of where you stand on this issue, citizen involvement is essential. Agencies and public utilities make decisions every day that affect our homes, finances, and quality of life. Public hearings are one of the few opportunities ordinary citizens have to place their concerns directly into the official record.

If you are concerned about rising utility costs, consider attending the hearing, submitting comments, or contacting the North Carolina Utilities Commission and Public Staff.

Your voice matters only if it is heard.