Nearly 50,000 Duke Energy customers across North Carolina have signed a petition demanding an audit of the company’s billing system after seeing unexpectedly high electric bills following a record-cold winter.
Many customers say their monthly statements were significantly higher than anticipated, sparking frustration and concerns about billing accuracy. The petition calls on Duke Energy to investigate its billing practices and issue refunds if discrepancies are found.
According to reporting from WRAL News, Duke Energy officials attribute the spike in bills to unusually cold temperatures in January and February — some of the coldest conditions North Carolina has experienced since 2010.
Company representatives say the extreme weather led to a sharp increase in energy usage, particularly for heating.
“That resulted in heating usage being upwards of about a third higher… and that would explain the types of increases that we’ve seen,” said Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks.
Duke Energy also confirmed there was a small rate increase at the start of the year, though officials say it only added a few dollars to the average residential bill. However, the company is now seeking approval for a larger rate increase in 2027 that could raise bills by as much as $23 per month.
For many residents across Moore County, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, and surrounding Sandhills communities, the explanation hasn’t fully eased concerns.
Customers continue to push for more transparency, with the growing petition highlighting widespread dissatisfaction and calls for accountability.
As energy costs remain a key concern for households, the situation is expected to draw continued attention in the weeks ahead.
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