HICKORY, N.C. — Families facing hardships in North Carolina could face higher bills next year. 

What You Need To Know

  • Duke Energy Carolinas, which serves about 2 million households and businesses in central and western North Carolina, is asking regulators for a rate increase of 15.7% over three years, starting January 2024

  • The company says the rate proposal is "to fund system improvements, including nearly $4.2 billion in future grid infrastructure upgrades to increase reliability and enhance grid security while enabling renewables, EVs, and supporting economic development and new jobs"

  • Part of the proposed rate case is a Customer Assistance Program, which, if approved, would reduce monthly bills for families in need by $42​

Hickory mom Taylor Morgan is enjoying her maternity with 1-month-old Lainey. 

"She is really good, she is a really calm baby, she's great," Morgan said. 

Morgan also has three older kids and recently moved into an apartment provided by the Family Care Center of Catawba Valley. The center provides temporary housing for families while they get a leg up. 

“It’s a really great program, they help you tremendously, like even for Christmas, they told me, 'Don’t worry about the Christmas for the kids,'" Morgan said. 

Morgan used to pay $700 a month for a two-bedroom, one-bath in Maiden. She says her electricity bill would sometimes be up to $200 a month during winter. As a single mother of four, even with a job, it was tough to make the payments. 

“When I used up all my savings for it, and I got behind on rent, she filed for eviction," Morgan said.

Duke Energy Carolinas is asking for a rate increase of 15.7% over the next three years. The increase would be staggered, starting in January 2024. 

On its website, the company says: 

"The rate case includes a three-year plan to fund system improvements, including nearly $4.2 billion in future grid infrastructure upgrades to increase reliability and enhance grid security while enabling renewables, EVs, and supporting economic development and new jobs."

To this mom, higher electricity bills is a scary thought. 

“It's crazy, it's going to be way too hard, because the cost of living is already hard, so making it even more, and if you’re on your own, it's going to be near impossible to do it," Morgan said. 

The rate increase still has to be approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. 

Part of the rate case is a Customer Assistance Program that would reduce monthly bills by $42 for families in need. 

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