Public hearing on Duke Energy's proposed 15% price raise to be held in Morganton

Duke Energy customers in the Burke County area will have a chance to speak regarding the company’s proposed 15% rate increase on April 28 during a public witness hearing at the Burke County Courthouse in Morganton.

Recently, Duke Energy Carolinas filed an application with the North Carolina Utilities Commission requesting to raise its prices over a two year period starting on Jan. 1, 2027.

There will be four in-person public hearings across the state, located in Morganton, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Durham. One was also held remotely on April 7.

If approved, a typical residential customer would see their monthly bill increase by about $17.22 in the first year, followed by an additional $6.34 in the second year.

Even if regulators reject the proposal, customers are still expected to see an increase of about $14.35 per month under alternative rate adjustments outlined in the filing.

For Burke County residents, the hearing offers a rare opportunity to speak directly into the rate-setting process.

Duke’s reasoning to raise prices include investments required to ensure long-term reliability, operational flexibility, and resource adequacy; investments necessary to ensure environmental and regulatory compliance; and “supply-side investments for the maintenance and improvement of its diversified resource portfolio.”

Duke Energy said its investments would be geared toward modernizing and improving “reliability and resiliency of the grid.”

People can sign up to speak at the public witness hearings, but those who have spoken at a previous hearing will not be allowed to testify a second time.