Duke Energy asked to raise rates. Here’s how to tell SC regulators what you think
Duke Energy customers with opinions on a proposed electric rate increase will get the chance to tell South Carolina regulators about it.
The Public Service Commission of South Carolina will hold a virtual public meeting on Jan. 3. Customers must register by 4 p.m. on Dec. 30 to participate.
They can email communications@psc.sc.gov or leave a message at 803-896-2639 with name, telephone number and address to do so. There’s also an online survey link.
The virtual hearing will run 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. on Jan. 3. If needed, hearings will continue those same times the following two days.
Duke applied with the state public service commission on Sept. 1. The rate adjustment request notes a typical customer who uses 1,000 kWh of electricity will see a $14.36 monthly increase. Duke requests the new rates start April 1, 2023. In the second year, rates would increase another $4.40 per month.
According to case documents, residential customers average a little more than 1,200 kWh per monthly bill. Commercial users average more than 10,000 kWh and industrial customers more than 2.7 million kWh. Residential customers would see an increase of 11.2% in the first year and 18.9% across three years.
Rates would increase 7.3% in a year and 11.2% in three years for commercial customers. Industrial customers would see 5.7% first-year and 8.3% three-year increases.
Duke Energy is one of three main power providers in the greater Rock Hill region. The company serves about 90,000 customers across York, Lancaster and Chester counties. York Electric Cooperative serves more than 65,000 members in those same counties, plus Cherokee. Rock Hill serves more than 30,000 customers on its own city system.
This story was originally published December 27, 2022 at 12:17 PM.
