Your Power Bill Just Got a Little Less Painful, but the Fight Isn't Over

By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  June 23, 2026

A rate increase that landed in a lot of Western North Carolina mailboxes as bad news just got a little smaller. Duke Energy Carolinas has lowered its proposed residential rate increase from 18% down to 11.6%, after objections from North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, state regulators, and customers across the state.

For households here in Macon County and the surrounding mountains, that is the difference between a steep jump and a merely uncomfortable one. Franklin sits about 70 miles southwest of Asheville, roughly an hour and a half down US-441, and like much of the region it leans on Duke for power through long winters and the air-conditioning months that follow. A few percentage points off a power bill adds up over a year.

Why did Duke Energy lower the proposed increase?

The reduction did not happen on its own. According to the North Carolina Department of Justice, Duke announced the lower figure only after Jackson, the Public Staff of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, intervenors, and residents raised concerns about the original 18% proposal.

Jackson framed it plainly in a statement released Monday. "Our case was that Duke could afford a lower rate while still meeting its needs. Duke just agreed," he said. He was quick to add that he is not satisfied. "They've taken a step in the right direction by bringing the new rate down, but it is still too high."

His office also said it is watching how costs tied to data centers and other large energy users get split up, with the goal of making sure those costs do not land disproportionately on ordinary residential customers. That is a real concern as more large operations look at North Carolina, and one to watch if you live here.

What happens next with the rate case?

The 11.6% figure is a proposal, not a done deal. The North Carolina Utilities Commission still has to review it, and the Commission can approve the request, reduce it further, or reject it altogether.

A hearing on the Duke Energy Carolinas rate case is scheduled to begin July 7. The Department of Justice says a final decision is expected this fall. If the request is approved as proposed, the new rates would start taking effect on January 1, 2027, which gives households a little runway to plan.

Governor Stein weighed in as well, tying the case to a broader affordability message. "Too many families are struggling to make ends meet, so we must work to make life more affordable, not less," he said. He called the reduction proof that public pressure works. "This development proves that when North Carolinians make their voices heard, it makes a difference."

What does this mean for Western NC households?

For most of us, the practical takeaway is simple. Your power bill is still likely going up next year, but the increase is smaller than it could have been, and the final number is not locked in yet.

It is also a reminder that these decisions are not made in a vacuum in Raleigh with no input from the rest of the state. The Commission holds public hearings and takes written comments, and the objections that came in this round are part of what moved the number. If the cost of running a home in the mountains is on your mind, this is a case worth following through the fall.

Not every home in Western North Carolina is on Duke, of course. Plenty of households in places like Waynesville and the more rural pockets get their power from electric cooperatives that set their own rates. If you are not sure which one you are on, your most recent bill will tell you, and only Duke customers are affected by this particular case.

If keeping an eye on the real cost of mountain living is part of how you think about a move here, Jon Tharp is always glad to talk through what day-to-day life in Western NC actually looks like.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Duke Energy raising rates in North Carolina?

Duke Energy Carolinas originally proposed an 18% residential rate increase but has since lowered it to 11.6% following objections from the North Carolina Attorney General, the Public Staff of the Utilities Commission, and customers across the state. The revised figure is not final. The North Carolina Utilities Commission can still approve the request as proposed, reduce it further, or reject it outright. A hearing on the case is scheduled to begin July 7, with a final decision expected this fall. Attorney General Jeff Jackson has said the 11.6% figure is still too high and pledged to keep pushing for lower rates on behalf of residential customers.

When would the new Duke Energy rates take effect?

If the North Carolina Utilities Commission approves Duke Energy Carolinas' request as currently proposed, the new rates would begin taking effect on January 1, 2027. Before that happens, the case goes through a formal review process. A hearing is scheduled to begin July 7, 2026, and the Department of Justice expects a final decision sometime this fall. Because the Commission can still reduce or reject the proposal, the exact percentage and the timing could change before anything reaches customer bills. Western North Carolina households served by Duke should watch for the fall decision to know what to budget for in 2027.

Does Duke Energy serve Western North Carolina?

Duke Energy Carolinas serves a large share of Western North Carolina, including many homes and businesses in and around Franklin, Sylva, Brevard, and other mountain communities. Not every household in the region is a Duke customer, though. Several areas are served by member-owned electric cooperatives such as Haywood EMC and Blue Ridge Energy, which set their own rates separately from Duke. If you are unsure who provides your power, check a recent bill. Only Duke Energy Carolinas customers would be affected by the rate case currently before the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

How can North Carolina residents weigh in on the Duke Energy rate case?

North Carolina residents can submit comments to the North Carolina Utilities Commission, which holds public hearings and accepts written statements during rate cases. The Attorney General's office and the Commission's Public Staff also represent consumer interests throughout the proceedings. In this case, public objections from residents, intervenors, and state officials are part of what pushed Duke to lower its proposed increase from 18% to 11.6%. The Commission's website lists hearing dates and instructions for filing comments. With the hearing set to begin July 7 and a decision expected this fall, the window to be heard is open now.