North Carolina utility customers could continue to see changes in their monthly electric bills as previously approved fuel adjustments take effect and a separate base-rate case remains under review.
Electric and natural gas utilities across the country requested approximately $9.2 billion in rate increases during the second quarter of 2026. Requests during the first half of the year reached approximately $18.6 billion and affected more than 56 million customer accounts.
North Carolina accounted for nearly $900 million of the second-quarter requests. That figure includes fuel-cost recovery filings from Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress following extended cold temperatures and higher costs associated with generating and purchasing electricity.
Those fuel adjustments have already been approved and are separate from the proposed Duke Energy Carolinas rate increase currently awaiting a final decision.
How Much Could Bills Increase?
Duke Energy Carolinas has reached a partial settlement with the North Carolina Public Staff, which represents consumers in utility cases. The agreement must still receive approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission before the new rates can take effect.
Under the proposed settlement, a typical Duke Energy Carolinas residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month would see a $9.39 monthly increase beginning January 1, 2027. That customer’s bill would rise from approximately $156.81 to $166.20.
An additional $5.52 monthly increase would follow on January 1, 2028. Together, the two adjustments would add $14.91 to the typical monthly bill. The proposed Duke Energy Carolinas rate increase would represent a combined residential increase of approximately 11.6 percent over two years.
The partial settlement lowers the increase from Duke Energy Carolinas’ original request, which called for a larger first-year adjustment.
Why Duke Energy Is Seeking Higher Rates
Duke Energy says the additional revenue would support grid improvements, storm resilience and infrastructure needed to serve North Carolina’s growing population and economy.
The company has added approximately 150,000 North Carolina customers during the past two years. That growth has required thousands of miles of distribution wire and more than 51,000 new distribution poles. Duke Energy also says the cost of transformers, voltage regulators and transmission equipment has more than doubled during the past five years.
Investments in self-healing grid technology are also part of the company’s infrastructure plan. The technology can automatically reroute electricity around damaged equipment and restore service to customers who might otherwise experience an extended outage.
Which Customers Would Be Affected?
The proposed $9.39 and $5.52 monthly adjustments apply specifically to Duke Energy Carolinas customers. Duke Energy Progress is a separate operating utility with different rates and regulatory filings.
Sandhills residents should check their electric bill to determine whether their provider is Duke Energy Carolinas or Duke Energy Progress before estimating how the pending case could affect them.
The Duke Energy Carolinas rate increase is not final. State regulators may approve the settlement, modify it or reject portions of the proposal after reviewing whether the requested costs are reasonable.
Until that review is complete, customers will not be charged the proposed base-rate increase. Any approved change would begin in 2027 under the current schedule.
