Response to N.C. House passage of Duke Energy’s rate hike bill

Today the North Carolina House of Representatives voted to pass SB559 with an amendment requiring a study of the most controversial provisions. One of the provisions is a multi-year rate plan that critics say could cost ratepayers an additional $23 billion in coming years with reduced public participation.

Statement from Josh McClenney, North Carolina Field Coordinator:
“The study amendment attached to SB559 is an absolutely critical step. This is how public policy should be made, with a thorough and open vetting by the public and by experts to understand the full impact on North Carolina families and businesses, not through Duke Energy writing its own bills and making deals with legislators behind closed doors. Regardless of what happens when the bill gets to the Senate, multi-year rate hikes should not be passed outside of broader utility regulatory reform.”