Duke Energy Wants to Raise Our Bills – Communities Can Fight Back
The cost of living is dramatically rising for North Carolinian families, especially when it comes to energy bills. Families are having to choose between keeping their lights on and feeding their family, all while Duke Energy makes billions in profits. On top of that, Duke Energy is now looking to raise our energy bills even more.
Duke Energy wants to raise residential energy rates by 18% over the next two years. On your bill, this increase will be between $25-$30 per month by January of 2028. However, actual increases will be higher because this rate increase does not include fuel costs. This rate hike breaks a promise Duke made to save customers one billion dollars through merging their two utilities: Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress. But community members have a way to stand up and fight back!
We’re working with our partners at the NC Conservation Network to explain what these rate hikes look like and how to fight back against Duke’s money grab. Register here to attend!
Demand A Rate Freeze & Protect Our Communities
Our government has charged the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) with regulating Duke Energy and overseeing this rate hike. NCUC is giving the public a chance to speak out on the rate hikes. At these meetings, you can ask the commission: 1) to freeze our rates until the utilities’ merger is complete; 2) renew programs benefiting vulnerable communities (programs are set to expire next year).
Step One: Find The Hearing Nearest You
First, find the hearing closest to you below. If there is not one close to you, or you are not able to attend the hearing closest to you, consider registering for the virtual hearing that corresponds to your energy provider.
Hearings for Duke Energy Progress customers:
- March 30 at 7 p.m.: Raleigh, N.C. Utilities Commission, 430 N. Salisbury St.
- March 31 at 7 p.m.: Lumberton, Robeson County Courthouse
- April 6 at 7 p.m.: Snow Hill, Greene County Courthouse
- April 13 at 7 p.m.: Roxboro, Person County Courthouse
- April 14 at 7 p.m.: Waynesville, Haywood County Courthouse
- April 1 at 6:30 p.m.: Virtual hearing – must register by 5 p.m. on March 25, 2026.
Hearings for Duke Energy Carolina customers:
- April 28 at 7 p.m.: Morganton, Burke County Courthouse
- April 29 at 7 p.m.: Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Courthouse
- May 6 at 7 p.m.: Winston-Salem, Forsyth County Courthouse
- May 12 at 7 p.m.: Durham, Durham County Courthouse
- April 7 at 6:30 p.m.: Virtual hearing – must register by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2026.
If you can’t attend a public hearing, you can submit your own comments online at https://www.ncuc.gov/contactus.html, or you can mail your own comments to the Utilities Commission at 4325 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4300. If you need assistance with submitting comments please reach out to Michelle “Meech” Carter via email: meech@nclcv.org. Be sure to include the Docket number in your comments: E-2 SUB 1300 for Duke Energy Progress and Docket E-7 Sub 1276 for Duke Energy Carolinas.
Step Two: Prepare Your Comments
NCUC wants to hear from community members. You do not need to be an expert to weigh in; sharing your personal experience will make the biggest impact! Public comments are limited to 3 minutes in length. We encourage you to consider the following when preparing your comments:
- How would higher energy bills impact your life or budget?
- What choices would you have to make to pay for higher energy bills (i.e. groceries, kids’ extracurricular activities, etc.)?
- How could higher energy bills affect the lives of people you know?
- Is your current energy bill already high? If so, how does that impact you and your family?
You can also review some guidelines and talking points for your comments.
Step Three: Show Up Early and Register
Registration for in-person hearings takes place before the hearing begins and with staff from NCUC. The hearing is held in a courtroom, meaning you’ll feel like a witness on the stand. We recommend either speaking directly to the commissioners or finding a friend or family member in the audience to speak to in case you get nervous with crowds.
Together, we can stand up against Duke Energy and say their record profits are ENOUGH.
Sign Our Petition
You can also add your voice by signing our petition urging the NCUC to control Duke Energy’s rising rates and prioritize plans that rapidly transition North Carolina to a clean energy economy.