North Carolina resident Andrew Hefner added insulation, replaced appliances, and installed a heat pump in an effort to bring down his home's energy use — but those changes didn't translate into lower Duke Energy bills, and more increases may be ahead, WRAL reported.
If rates rise while a $42 monthly bill credit disappears, the squeeze could be especially acute for households on fixed incomes.
Here's what to know
North Carolina Duke Energy customers will soon face higher costs from proposed residential rate increases and the planned end of a monthly assistance credit Dec. 31.
Around 80,000 customers are enrolled in that program, per WRAL.
Duke asked for residential increases of about 18% over two years, but opposition from customers, consumer advocates, and North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson prompted the company to amend its request.
The latest proposed settlements would increase Duke Energy Carolinas residential rates by roughly 9.5% over two years and Duke Energy Progress rates by about 6.8%, with phased-in increases beginning Jan. 1 if approved, WRAL noted.
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Jackson refused to sign either agreement and urged regulators to reject the increases.
"Duke does not need as much as they are asking for from ratepayers to meet demand over the next two years," the attorney general said, according to WRAL.
Customers receiving the full $42 monthly credit would still have to pay another $504 a year even if their power prices and usage stayed the same.
More background
Duke reported $1.1 billion in second-quarter net income, up from $971 million, as many households contend with high bills, WRAL reported.
As living costs rise, Hefner says he and his partner — both on fixed incomes — have trimmed discretionary spending and scaled back the animal rescue work they have supported.
"I don't spend money on anything that is not absolutely essential," Hefner told WRAL.
Once regulators approve spending on power plants, grid infrastructure, and fuel, customers can bear those costs, at least in part. Dependence on natural gas also leaves households exposed to fuel-price swings.
Jackson and other advocates want protections that would require major new power users, including data centers, to shoulder the costs so they are not passed on to households.
What's being done?
Consumer groups are urging Duke and the North Carolina Utilities Commission to preserve the monthly assistance program, according to WRAL.
North Carolina Justice Center senior energy policy advocate Claire Williamson asked Duke and regulators to maintain the credit as heating costs rise.
Duke said the Customer Assistance Program was created as a three-year pilot and any decision about whether to continue it belongs to the commission.
The company added that eligible participants will keep receiving credits through Dec. 31 and that it will reach out to connect customers with other assistance, WRAL noted.
The pending settlements would add $20 million in proposed shareholder support for bill relief and health and safety repairs through the Share the Light Fund and Helping Home Fund.
Duke spokesperson Caroline Fountain said those repairs can help income-qualified households qualify for weatherization programs that reduce energy use over time, per WRAL.
Duke noted its Neighborhood Energy Saver program has delivered free energy-saving assistance to roughly 26,000 North Carolina participants.
Consumer Reports, meanwhile, recommends checking for drafts, sealing air leaks, and adding insulation where needed before paying for larger upgrades.
"When the prices keep going up, something's got to go somewhere. Something's got to give," Hefner told WRAL.
Where can I learn more?
These stories examine the forces driving up household energy costs.
• A Minnesota homeowner saw an estimated 18% electric jump after switching to a heat pump.
• In Texas, HVAC pros tied a $950 winter bill to costly heat strips.
• In North Carolina, a Duke rate hike was cut nearly in half, but bills still rose.
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