Governor Stein and A.G. Jackson Fight for Everyday North Carolinians By Opposing Duke Energy Rate Hike
Duke Energy’s latest rate hike request is designed to increase its profits by building expensive fossil-gas infrastructure, at the expense of residential and other electric ratepayers across our state. Now, NC Governor Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson are fighting back against Duke’s climate-busting profit scheme.
Monopoly Requests Rate Hike
Duke’s requested rate hike would result in a revenue increase of $1 billion for Duke Energy Carolinas each year, and $729 million for Duke Energy Progress, according to the company itself. Monthly electric bills for a typical Duke Energy Carolinas residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month would increase by $17.22 each month in 2027. For the same metric, the bill would increase by $23.11 each month for a typical Duke Energy Progress residential customer, also according to Duke itself.
Last week, Attorney General (A.G.) Jackson announced that he was intervening on behalf of the state’s ratepayers to challenge Duke’s request for a 15% rate hike over the next two years. The NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) is in charge of regulating Duke Energy and is hearing the case.
“With costs rising everywhere, it’s important we take a close look at Duke Energy’s proposed rate increase to ensure it is necessary,” said Jackson. “My office is intervening to make sure we find the right balance between investing in our energy infrastructure and protecting North Carolinians’ wallets.”
Standing Up for North Carolinians
Governor Stein issued a statement the same day that he is opposing Duke’s rate increase. He also thanked A.G. Jackson “for intervening in Duke Energy’s rate case and protecting North Carolinians from paying more for electricity.”
“I am pleased that the North Carolina Department of Justice is fighting for the people of North Carolina,” said Stein. “Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike is simply too high and comes as the company is also retreating on more affordable clean energy. At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, we should be doing everything we can to make life more affordable, not less. I will continue to fight on behalf of every North Carolinian to lower costs and grow the economy.”
Fighting for Affordable Rates Throughout 2025
Gov. Stein’s statement went on to point out other efforts he has taken this year to keep electric rates affordable:
- Vetoing Senate Bill 266, legislation which independent researchers found will increase costs to North Carolina ratepayers by $23 billion. (The pro-polluter supermajority in the legislature overrode his veto.)
- Signing Executive Order 23 to create the North Carolina Energy Policy Task Force, and charging that Task Force with determining how the state can keep utility costs affordable for North Carolinians, meet its economic development and environmental protection goals, and meet increasing energy demands.
Further bolstering the case that Duke’s latest requested rate hike would damage North Carolina’s economy, a major state industrial group came out in strong opposition to the increase.
Our Work
We will continue to follow and report on the fight against Duke’s unaffordable rate hikes as the case moves forward at the NC Utilities Commission. If this work is important to you, please consider becoming a monthly donor. Your generosity creates:
- more education for more North Carolinians;
- more engagement and organizing within communities across our state; and
- more influence and impact on environmental decisions being made.
