Duke Energy unit seeks 15 percent rate hike on NC customers

[TexasTowelie]

RALEIGH — One of Duke Energy's two North Carolina operating divisions said Thursday it wants to raise electricity rates an average of 14.9 percent to pay for cleaning up coal ash pits, upgrading the transmission system and converting to more natural gas.

The proposed rate hike would not affect residents of Greensboro and other parts of the Triad because another Duke Energy unit, the Carolinas division, serves this part of the state.

But Thursday's formal request to the North Carolina Utilities Commission might give Triad residents an inkling of what to expect later this year when Duke Energy Carolinas applies for a rate change covering similar types of expenses.

Duke Energy spokesman Jeff Brooks said residents of the Greensboro area should be careful not take Thursday's rate-hike request too literally as a sign of what to expect from the Carolinas' division upcoming request, likely to be filed sometime in the third quarter between July and October.

Read more: http://www.greensboro.com/business/local_business/duke-energy-unit-seeks-percent-rate-hike-on-nc-customers/article_9b1e323e-3621-591d-991f-35b3f14dbe49.html

[IndivisibleCLT]

1. Coal Ash

So basically Duke Energy is forcing customer to pay for their greed for profits. They created the COAL ASH problem. Not the consumers. They should not pass on the cost of coal ash clean up so they can maintain their profits.