Duke Energy Carolinas asked South Carolina’s utilities commission for a 15.1 percent overall rate increase that includes a 16.3 percent hike for residential customers, reports the Charlotte Observer.
Duke said that more than half its request for $220 million a year in new revenue would repay capital investments, including two new power plants in North Carolina and upgrades to two nuclear plants, one in each of the Carolinas. Duke serves 540,000 households and businesses in South Carolina.
If the request is approved, typical residential bills would increase from about $100 a month to more than $118. The rate closely follows a rate case in North Carolina, where Duke Carolinas is seeking a 9.7 percent overall rate hike. Read More.