How NC Government Has Failed to Protect Us From Higher Energy Bills
By: Ty McFarland, Director of Communications for NCLCVF, City of Raleigh, NC & 2024 Fellow
The cost of living is rising dramatically for North Carolina families, and energy bills are a major part of the problem. Many households are being forced to make impossible choices – between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table. At the same time, Duke Energy continues to post massive profits. In 2025 alone, the company brought in nearly $5 billion.
Who’s to Blame?
The North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) was created to regulate utilities like Duke Energy and protect the public interest. But in recent years, the commission has repeatedly allowed Duke to raise rates, placing a growing burden on families across the state.
On top of that, lawmakers in Raleigh recently passed legislation that allows Duke Energy to charge customers for power plants that haven’t even been built yet. This means families could start paying today for projects that may take years to complete or may never be completed at all.
The same law also weakens NC’s commitment to climate progress by removing the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 70% by 2030. Researchers estimate that removing this goal could cost ratepayers up to $23 billion by 2050.
What Can We Do?
The good news is that we are not powerless. When people speak up and take action, it can make a real difference. Here are two meaningful ways you can get involved.
Speak at Rate Hike Hearings
The NCUC is giving the public an opportunity to speak out about proposed rate increases. At these hearings, you can urge the commission to:
- Freeze electricity rates until Duke Energy’s utility merger process is fully completed.
- Protect programs that support vulnerable communities, which are currently scheduled to expire next year.
Hearings will be held across North Carolina, and virtual options are available for people who cannot attend in person.
Learn more and prepare to speak at a rate hike hearing!
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.
Learn more and sign the petition today.
How Does This Protect Our State and Environment?
Clean energy is not just better for the environment – it’s also cheaper. Renewable sources like wind and solar are now among the most affordable ways to produce electricity. Yet Duke Energy continues investing heavily in expensive fossil fuel infrastructure.
Why? Current state policies guarantee utilities like Duke Energy roughly a 10% return on their investments – and they’re currently asking to increase that to 10.9%. That means the more they spend, the more profit they make.
For example:
- If Duke spends $100,000 building a solar farm, they recover that cost from customers plus about $10,000 in profit.
- If they spend $1 billion building a methane gas facility, they recover the full cost plus roughly $100 million in profit.
And who ultimately pays for those returns? North Carolina families and communities do. See how much utilities profit from your energy bill with this new utility profit calculator.
By pushing for smarter energy policies and greater oversight, we can lower costs for families, protect vulnerable communities, and accelerate the transition to cleaner, more affordable energy for everyone.