NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

Get Involved Donate

The NC Council of Churches files a comment with the NC Utility Commission in support of low-income households

by Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

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. 

Avatar photo

About Susannah Tuttle, Eco-Justice Connection Director

Susannah Tuttle joined the staff in August 2011. She received a Masters of Divinity degree with an emphasis on ecological ethics from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. In 2004 Susannah was hired as UNC Chapel Hill’s first Sustainability Research Associate and went on to co-initiate Trace Collaborative, LLC a consulting firm specializing in the implementation of sustainability within the design and construction industry. Susannah is a founding member of the Southeast Faith Leaders Network (SFLN) and is an active member of the US Climate Action Network. She currently serves on the Executive Board of the Southeast Climate & Energy Network (SCEN) and serves as the director of international community outreach for the US Climate Fair Share collaborative. Susannah's motto is "Rowdy Bliss" and when she's not traveling and exploring new places you can find her hosting gatherings and relaxing at the end of a gravel road where she lives with her husband, Frank - who is a builder, gardener, and musician, and their two beloved dogs.
Learn more about NC Interfaith Power & Light: ncipl.org.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *