Company officials for North Carolina have already announced that they would request a base rate increase of 12.6 percent. This would go into effect Jan. 1, 2010.
There are over 500,000 retail electricity customers in the Upstate and customers are worried about the increase.
“I have been a Duke Energy customer for six years now and I am a little worried about this potential increase,” said Jason McAuthor of Easley. “I know the company must raise rates sometimes, but I am scared it will be a huge burden on people around the community. The rates haven’t changed since I became a customer with Duke.”
Spokeswoman for Duke Energy, Paige Sheehan said they are still crunching numbers for the state but they should release more information to the public within a 30 day period.
“We’re trying to make the systems cleaner and be more reliable for our customers,” said Sheehan.
This rate increase could cost an extra $132 per year for North Carolina customers. South Carolina residents are worried about the extra costs.
“With the economy the way it is now, how can we afford to pay another $100 or more a year?” said Duke Energy customer Tami Wright. “Most people are struggling to afford their bills as things are right now without the increases. There has to be another option for customers.”
“We realize this is a hard time for everyone economically,” said Brett Carter, president of Duke Energy Carolinas. “We made this decision to increase the rate based on what we think our customers deserve out of the service we provide.”
Duke Energy hopes to have an answer within the next few weeks.
Post a Comment
