Duke Energy Rate Deal Under Fire | Durham News

Duke Energy Progress is slashing its rate hike request by more than half, still leaving bills higher but less painful — a compromise to fund critical infrastructure. Despite the cut, critics argue it’s still too steep, especially as rising costs strain budgets during heatwaves. The proposed settlement includes refunds for unused federal tax credits and low-income aid from shareholders, gaining backing from customer advocates. But concerns linger over how new demands from big users like data centers will be paid for without burdening everyday customers. The North Carolina Utilities Commission now has the final say — approving, rejecting, or tweaking the plan — with the first increase hitting in January 2027. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a10b462279446f34