Duke Energy wants 17 percent increase on NC homes

By: AP | Associated Press
Published: July 01, 2011

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Duke Energy Corp. is asking North Carolina regulators to allow a 17 percent increase for residential rates, a move that would add about $19 to the average monthly home power bill of nearly $100.

The Charlotte-based utility filed a request Friday with the state Utilities Commission to raise its base rates to keep up with nearly $5 billion in investments in its electricity generating and transmission system.

Duke's North Carolina president Brett Carter says the company plans to file another rate increase request next year. Duke Energy will ask South Carolina regulators for a rate increase in August.

Carter says the rate increase won't apply to current customers of Raleigh-based Progress Energy.

The request also seeks a 14 percent increase for industrial customers.