In the latest volley in a public feud between North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Duke Energy, Jackson accused the utility of providing incorrect information under oath.
Kendal Bowman, North Carolina President for Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas, said during her testimony in front of the North Carolina Utilities Commission on Tuesday that residential customers can expect to pay about 6.8% more over the next two years. The residential rate would rise by 3.7% the first year, followed by 3.1% in the second year, she said.
However, that’s the number for the average rate increase across all customer classes, including industrial users who pay less, according to independent calculations from Jackson’s office. Residential ratepayers under Duke Energy Progress would actually see a higher increase of 9.3% over the next two years.
“The details matter here, and Duke got it wrong under oath,” Jackson said in a statement on Thursday. “A 6.8% increase was already too high for families, and Duke can’t justify an even bigger increase.”
Jackson said Wednesday that hewouldn’t signonto the latest proposed settlement with Duke Energy, just as he refused to agree to anearlier proposalin July. The agreement of the state attorney general isn’t required for the Utilities Commission to approve a deal, but the AG can take it to court if they object.
Duke Energy Progress originally asked for an 18.1% increase on residential rates over two years, but lowered its request after months of backlash.
Last week, Duke Energy Progressannouncedit had reached a settlement with the Utilities Commission’s Public Staff, a department that represents consumers in regulatory cases. They agreed to an average increase of 3.4% each year for the next two years for all users, but didn’t offer an estimate of how much more the average residential customer would pay.
State leaders and environmentalists said even 3.4% is still too high.
Dan Crawford, senior director of public affairs at the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters, said during a press conference Tuesday that Duke Energy shareholders made huge profits in 2025.
“Poor, poor Duke. They’re barely scraping by on $5 billion in profits they made last year, and last week, they announced they’re already on track to make even more this year,” Crawford said sarcastically. “Clearly, they need this increase.”
The Utilities Commission is holding hearings on the Duke Energy Progress rate case before it decides whether to approve or reject the proposed settlement. New rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
A spokesperson for Duke Energy did not immediately respond to NC Newsline’s request for comment.
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