Critical
cardinalpine.com
North Carolina Democrats have criticized U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley for his family's $149,000 investment in Duke Energy stock, coinciding with the company's proposed rate hikes of $15 per month by 2028. Additional scrutiny has been directed at investments in data center companies, as local governments consider moratoriums on new data center approvals. A recent survey found that 80% of North Carolina voters reported rising utility bills, fueling public dissatisfaction.
This political attention comes amid broader debates over Duke Energy's role in the state’s energy sector, including its involvement in data center developments and rate-setting processes.
Why it matters: Political and public scrutiny could impact Duke Energy's regulatory approvals and rate-setting processes, potentially affecting its financial and operational plans in North Carolina.