Jackson says Duke Energy residential rate increase is 9.3%, not 6.8%
The attorney general says Duke Energy Progress gave incorrect testimony in a pending Utilities Commission rate case.
RALEIGH — Attorney General Jeff Jackson says Duke Energy Progress residential customers would see a 9.3% rate increase over two years under a proposed settlement, not the 6.8% figure cited by the company in Utilities Commission testimony.
Jackson’s office said Thursday that Duke Energy Progress told the North Carolina Utilities Commission this week that residential ratepayers would pay about 6.8% more over the next two years. According to the Department of Justice, that figure reflected the average increase across all customer classes, while residential households would pay about 9.3% more.
“The details matter here, and Duke got it wrong under oath,” Jackson said in a statement. “A 6.8% increase was already too high for families, and Duke can’t justify an even bigger increase. We’re not signing this deal.”
The dispute is part of Duke Energy Progress’ pending rate case before the Utilities Commission. Duke’s original filing sought an 18.1% residential rate increase over two years. The proposed settlement, announced last week by Duke and several parties, would reduce the increase but still raise household bills.
Jackson’s office previously declined to join the settlement, saying the proposed increase remained too high for families.
Duke Energy Progress serves eastern North Carolina and the Asheville area. The Utilities Commission will decide whether to approve or reject the settlement. If approved, the new rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Jackson’s office said NCDOJ’s independent calculations and Duke’s public statements show the residential increase would be 9.3% over the next two years.
The dispute gives state regulators another point to consider as they weigh the proposed settlement and its impact on residential ratepayers.
Editor’s note:
This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.
