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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]
7 clusters · 15 sources · 54 days · First seen · Last updated
Categories: BUSINESS
US utility rate hike backlash continues
Entities: Jeff Jackson · North Carolina Utilities Commission · Duke Energy · Josh Stein · Harry Sideris
Overview
Protests in Washington, D.C., and North Carolina over Duke Energy’s proposed residential rate hikes led the utility to scale back an 18 % request to a 9‑12 % range. A partial settlement announced on 14 July 2024 would raise residential bills by $9.39 in 2027 and $5.52 in 2028, capping the increase at about 11.6 % pending approval by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. The agreement also limited the average annual retail rate rise to 3.7 % for two years starting 1 January 2027, included a $10 million shareholder contribution for low‑income assistance, and created a refund rider for delayed infrastructure projects. Attorney General Jeff Jackson refused to sign, arguing the effective residential increase would still be around 9.5 % annually and pressing for a separate rate class for large users such as data centers.
In July 2026 the settlement was revisited. Duke Energy Carolinas reached a revised deal that would raise customer bills by an average 3.7 % per year over two years and set a 9.8 % return on equity, but Jackson again declined to sign, maintaining that residential customers faced roughly a 9.5 % annual increase and urging rules that shift new‑infrastructure costs to data centers and other large users. The utility then formally filed a revised rate request seeking a 9.5 % residential increase—equating to the same 3.7 % annual average—while lowering the allowed return on equity from 10.95 % to 9.8 %. Duke also signed the federal Ratepayer Protection Pledge and announced a fast‑track process to develop rules requiring large power users to fund transmission and distribution upgrades. The North Carolina Utilities Commission is expected to issue its final decision in the coming weeks.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Duke Energy initially proposed an 18% residential electricity rate increase in North Carolina. (proposed rate increase)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Duke Energy reduced its residential rate increase proposal to about 9.5%. (revised rate proposal)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The revised proposal calls for an average annual increase of 3.7% over two years, about 7.4% overall for all customers. (average increase figures)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Duke Energy lowered its allowed return on equity from 10.95% to 9.8%. (return on equity adjustment)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Duke Energy signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge to ensure data centers pay for their own power and infrastructure costs. (pledge participation)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The North Carolina Utilities Commission is reviewing the rate request and will decide in the coming weeks. (commission review timeline)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Attorney General Jeff Jackson says the proposed rate increase is too high and continues to push for lower rates. (state official opposition)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Duke Energy agreed to participate in a fast‑track process to develop new rules for data centers and other large energy users. (fast‑track process agreement)
Timeline
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3 days ago
[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesDuke Energy trims North Carolina residential rate hike to 9.5%Duke Energy cut its North Carolina residential rate hike to 9.5%, lowered its ROI target, and pledged to make data centers pay for their own grid costs as the utilities commission reviews the proposal.
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9 days ago
[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesDuke Energy Carolinas rate settlement split as Attorney General objects to residential hikeDuke Energy Carolinas cuts its proposed rate hike but a settlement still raises residential bills about 9.5%, prompting Attorney General Jeff Jackson to refuse signing as the NC Utilities Commission reviews the
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12 days ago
[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesDuke Energy settles to cut North Carolina rate hike to 3.7%Duke Energy Carolinas agreed to limit its North Carolina rate increase to 3.7% annually for two years, adds $10 M for low‑income aid, and includes a refund rider if projects lag, pending regulator approval.
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15 days ago
[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesDuke Energy Rate Dispute Yields Partial Settlement and Attorney General Challenge in North CarolinaDuke Energy's North Carolina rate hike was partially settled at an 11.6% increase, while Attorney General Jeff Jackson pushes back on a second case, seeking a 7.4% return on equity to save $960 million.
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18 days ago
[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesDuke Energy projects $5 bn North Carolina supplier spending, cuts rate‑hike requestDuke Energy plans $5 bn in North Carolina supplier spending and reduced its proposed residential rate hike to 11.6% after regulator and public pushback.
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about 1 month ago
[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesDuke Energy cuts proposed North Carolina electricity rate hikeDuke Energy cut its proposed residential electricity rate increase for North Carolina to about 9‑12% over two years after consumer and Attorney General Jeff Jackson objections, filing the revised request with a
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about 2 months ago
[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesUS utility rate hikes spark consumer protests in DC and North CarolinaPepco in DC will add $7 to monthly electric bills as demand soars, while Duke Energy customers in North Carolina protest an 18% rate increase slated for 2027, citing unaffordable spikes.
Sources
8msolar.com · abc11.com · catchfence.com · energiesmedia.com · europesays.com · lcnme.com · myfoxdc.com · ncdoj.gov · ncvoices.com · oilmanmagazine.com · raleigh.quepasanoticias.com · robesonian.com · stocktitan.net · thebeatdfw.com · thecooldown.com