Duke Energy Rate Plan Raises Concerns for Brunswick and Columbus County Households

Attorney General warns proposed increases could strain fixed‑income families as regulators weigh final decision.

By Coastal Carolina News Staff Writer

Duke Energy’s proposed rate increases are drawing heightened concern across Brunswick and Columbus counties, where many households already face rising costs for essentials.

The plan, now under review by the North Carolina Utilities Commission, would raise monthly electric bills for Duke Energy Progress customers through a multi‑year adjustment that state officials say could hit coastal communities harder than most.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson has formally challenged Duke’s request.

Arguing the utility’s proposed return on equity – 10.95% is too high and would force families to absorb charges beyond what is reasonable.

His office recommends lowering the return to 7.4%, a change he says would save North Carolinians about $960 million over two years. Jackson also urged regulators to create a separate rate class for large commercial users, including data centers, so residential customers aren’t subsidizing high‑volume corporate consumption.

For residents in Brunswick and Columbus counties, the stakes are significant.

Duke Energy Progress serves many of the region’s towns and neighborhoods, meaning the proposed increases would directly affect households from Leland to Whiteville. Average monthly bills could rise from roughly $165.00 to about $195 by 2028, according to filings reviewed during recent hearings. Local officials say that shift would be felt most by seniors, renters, and families on fixed incomes.

Public comments submitted to the Utilities Commission highlight concerns about affordability, with residents noting that higher electric bills would compound pressures from housing, insurance, and food costs. Small businesses have also raised alarms, saying increased utility expenses could limit hiring or force cutbacks during slower seasons.

Duke Energy has already reduced its initial request dropping from an 18% increase to 11.6 percent but Jackson maintains the revised figure remains too steep for coastal communities that have seen steady cost‑of‑living increases over the past several years.

The Utilities Commission is expected to issue a final ruling later this year.

Until then, local leaders and residents continue urging regulators to consider the disproportionate impact the rate plan could have on southeastern North Carolina.