The oppressive heat this week has not only tested residents’ ability to stay cool but also placed a significant strain on their wallets. In north Charlotte, the demand for financial aid is evident as many seek relief from soaring energy costs.
On Thursday morning, more than 100 people lined up outside Crisis Assistance Ministry, eager to secure assistance with rent or utility bills. Among them was a man who requested anonymity, attributing his presence in the queue to an increase in his Duke Energy bill.
“It’s not fair,” he expressed. “They got millions of dollars that they pay the CEO that works for Duke Energy, but they [are] continuously increasing the customers’ energy bills.”
Shelly Biby, the chief advancement officer of Crisis Assistance Ministry, highlighted a consistent demand for aid, exacerbated by the ongoing heatwave. “We’re about 19% higher on average utility requests,” Biby noted. “We expect, even [in] October, we will be seeing the results of this heatwave.”
As residents grapple with these rising costs, Duke Energy has two pending rate increase requests with state regulators. Although the company has slightly lowered its rate hike proposal for 2027, the average Duke Energy Carolinas customer could still face a $10 monthly increase.
How to Get Involved in Duke Energy Hearings
If you want to voice your opinion on Duke Energy’s rate hikes, there’s still an opportunity to submit feedback. Comments can be made via the Utility Commission’s website using the appropriate docket numbers:
- E-2 SUB 1380: Duke Energy Progress seeks a rate increase of $28.06 in 2027 and $6.59 in 2028.
- E-7 Sub 1329: Duke Energy Carolinas proposes a rate hike of $17.22 in 2027 and $6.34 in 2028.
- E-100 Sub 207: Covers Duke Energy’s resource plan, detailing the utility’s future power plant developments.
