Duke Energy customers sound off on proposed rate hike, call it “pure greed”

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke Energy customers sounded off again on a potential rate hike. People had another chance to speak out. This time, at hearing in front of state regulators Wednesday night in Durham.

Duke’s proposal would raise average rates by nearly 16 percent over two years for Duke Energy Carolinas customers. The commission says a typical customer would pay close to $24 more a month.

Customer Brittany Phillips says, “It is completely unacceptable that Duke Energy is trying to squeeze money out of people who don’t have it. It is pure greed, a blatant money grab, and everyone involved should frankly be ashamed of themselves.”

Duke Energy says the increase is needed to pay for growth, including new residents and modernizing the electric grid. The NC Utilities Commission will make a decision on the rate hike before the end of the year.