A public hearing will be held in Charlotte to discuss Duke Energy rate hike. What to know
Charlotte residents will have the chance to weigh in on a proposed rate hike from Duke Energy at a public hearing hosted by the N.C. Utilities Commission next month.
The proposal includes annual increases in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Beginning next year, an average Duke Energy customer would see their monthly bills increase from $115.01 to $127.55. In 2025, that amount would go up to $131.45.
The rate hike would generate an additional $833 million in revenue, according to Duke Energy.
Hearings across the state slated for this summer come months after nearly 500,000 Duke Energy lost power during rolling blackouts on Christmas Eve 2022, when the company implemented power outages during one of the coldest weekends in recent years, The Charlotte Observer reported.
At the hearing in Charlotte, scheduled for June 22 at 7 p.m. at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, members of the public can testify about the rate increase by filling out the electronic Remote Public Witness Registration form on the NCUC website.
There will also be a virtual hearing held on Webex on July 26. Only the first 20 individuals who register by July 19 at 5 p.m. will be able to speak during the hearing.
How to prepare your Charlotte home for summer heat
According to safeelectricity.org, summer can generate some of the highest electricity bills of the year due to the high demand for air conditioning. Here are some tips to make your home more energy efficient during the warmer months:
Update your insulation to keep cool air in and hot air out of your home.
Use a programmable thermostat and leave it at a higher temperature when you’re not home.
Install awnings over windows exposed to direct sunlight.
Install ceiling fans.
Avoid unnecessary trips in and out of your house since heat and humidity come in each time you open the door.
Close your blinds during the hottest part of the day to keep the sun out.
Use an air conditioner with an Energy Star label.
RELATED: Where and how to get help paying your Charlotte utility bills this summer
