Local public hearing on Progress Energy rate hikes set for March 5

The North Carolina Utilities Commission wants to hear from you: On Tuesday, March 5, the commission will hold a local public hearing on Progress Energy Carolinas’ request to raise residential, commercial and industrial electricity rates by an average of 12 percent.

The company says it needs to fund capital improvements, such as new natural-gas plants and transmission lines, to provide “reliable and reasonably cost-effective service,” according to Len Green, senior staff attorney for the commission. In a fact sheet about the increase, Progress also notes, “Approximately 84 percent of the [request] reflects … investments made to modernize our system,” and cites the resulting improvements, such as a 62 percent reduction in nitrogen oxygen emissions produced by its plants.

But Consumers Against Rate Hikes — a coalition of groups from across the state — says that Progress Energy customers have already seen monthly electricity bills rise by 25 percent since 1993 as the company raised rates to cover higher fuel costs. “Progress has been making 12.75 percent [profit] at the expense of low- and middle -income people, and now they want to raise residential rates,” says Carley Ruff, policy and outreach coordinator for the N.C. Housing Coalition, one of the coalition members. Other CARH members include the AARP of North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League.

“This will mean more foreclosures, more disconnects in the winter, more small businesses failing and tighter school budgets,” says Ruff.

Progress — which merged with Duke Energy last year — serves much of Western North Carolina, including Asheville. Duke is also requesting hikes in other parts of the state, but the commission is considering the proposals separately, Green reports. The March 5 hearing in Buncombe County is the only one scheduled for this area, and the commission is expected to make a decision later this spring.

Progress Energy wants the new rates to go in to effect in June.

Says Green, “The commission wants to make sure that they hear from the Progress Energy customers.”

WHAT:
A North Carolina Utilities Commission public hearing on Progress Energy’s rate-increase request. The commission regulates the rates and services of public utilities.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Buncombe County Courthouse, District Courtroom #1, 60 Court Plaza

HOW:
There will be a signup sheet at the door for those who want to speak. Once commission members know how many attendees would like to weigh in, they’ll determine how much time each speaker is allotted.

MORE INFO: Go to Progress Energy’s website. Or here for more information about the CARH coalition.

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.

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One thought on “Local public hearing on Progress Energy rate hikes set for March 5

  1. lmfuentes

    So, what have they done with all the profits from previous years, why didn’t they allocate funds to be used for future upgrades.

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