RALEIGH, NC – The North Carolina Council of Churches (Council) has filed a comment with the North Carolina Utility Commission (Commission) about Duke Energy’s proposed rate increase, urging that greater attention be paid to the financial constraints of low-income households. (Docket E-2 Sub 1300)
The NCCC first requested dividing the single Residential Rate Class into a Residential-Low Income and Residential-General classes.
Next, the NCCC noted that in the same letter announcing the proposed rate increase of 20 percent, over three years, Duke Energy is proposing a new “customer assistance program for low-income customers.”
The NCCC proposed that, instead, low-income households only receive one-quarter of the rate increase now proposed for the Residential Class. That may provide a benefit comparable to a new benefit program without any programmatic expenses for the company.
While Duke Energy may need additional money to accomplish the transition away from fossil fuels, the NCUC must account for the different capabilities of customers to provide those funds.
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