Critical
Canary Media
Duke Energy's Customer Assistance Program, providing $42 monthly bill credits to low-income households in North Carolina, will expire on December 31, 2026. Concurrently, Duke is seeking approval for a rate increase that would raise average residential bills by $10 per month starting January 2027. Advocacy groups have criticized the timing, citing economic pressures on vulnerable customers.
The North Carolina Utilities Commission has the authority to extend the program but is unlikely to act without a formal request from Duke. The program's expiration could amplify public opposition to the rate hike and complicate regulatory proceedings.
Why it matters: With Duke's rate hike proposal already under scrutiny, the program's expiration could escalate public and political resistance, influencing future rate decisions and customer satisfaction metrics.