Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike is quickly becoming a big talking point across North Carolina, with customers pushing back both in public hearings and across online forums as frustration over rising utility costs continues to mount.
The utility is seeking approval from state regulators for an 18% increase in residential electric rates over the next two years. According to a report from WRAL, the average household will spend about $34 more per month by 2028. The proposal follows a period of already rising costs, with electric bills in the state climbing roughly 22% since 2020.
Duke Energy says the increase is necessary to fund infrastructure upgrades tied to population growth, industrial expansion, and grid resilience. The company points to investments in transmission lines, substations, and technology designed to reduce outages, along with the addition of roughly 150,000 new customers in recent years.
Still, for many North Carolinians, the explanation is doing little to ease concerns.
Locals Aren’t Pleased About the Rate Hike
More than 71,000 people have signed a petition calling for an independent audit of Duke Energy’s billing practices. Public hearings are now underway, with regulators set to determine whether the increase is “just and reasonable.”
Online, the reaction has been sharper.
“18% over two years? That’s insanity,” one Reddit user wrote, echoing a widely shared sentiment that the proposed increase far outpaces inflation. Others questioned why customers should shoulder the burden of infrastructure investments while the company reports strong financial performance.
“Record breaking profits… and now they need to raise rates even more,” another user commented, reflecting skepticism about Duke Energy’s justification.
The company reported profits up nearly 13% last year, a figure critics frequently cite when challenging the need for higher rates. Duke Energy maintains that regulated utilities recover costs over time and that spreading increases across multiple years helps avoid sudden spikes in bills.
Some residents are also questioning who ultimately benefits from the upgrades. Duke Energy has pointed to growing demand from industries like manufacturing and data centers, but critics argue that residential customers are being asked to fund expansion that may primarily serve large-scale users.
“What happens if those projects never happen?” one commenter asked, raising concerns about long-term accountability.
The debate has also reignited broader discussions about the structure of utilities in North Carolina. Some users called for stronger regulatory oversight, while others argued that essential services like electricity should not operate under a for-profit model.
“Privatize the profit, socialize the costs,” one post read.
For now, the decision rests with the North Carolina Utilities Commission, with additional hearings scheduled in the coming months. As the process unfolds, one thing is clear: public scrutiny is intensifying, and customers are paying close attention to what comes next.
