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'It's ridiculous': Duke Energy customers react to proposed rate hike in South Carolina

If approved, it would be the first time Duke Energy has raised rates in South Carolina since 2018.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Duke Energy is proposing its first rate hike in South Carolina in nearly a decade so it can make necessary upgrades to the power grid, officials say. 

The proposal states a typical customer's bill may rise by around $18 in August with another smaller increase planned in 2026. Duke Energy says it hasn't asked the South Carolina Public Service Commission for a rate hike since 2018. Duke has more than 650,000 customers in the Palmetto State. 

"If these increases continue, I'm going to have to get a part-time job in the wintertime just to pay the heat bill," Mario Russo said. "It's ridiculous."

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A spokesperson for the company told WYFF-TV that the rate hike is needed due to Duke Energy's investments in the grid to keep up with increased demand. 

"Making upgrades at the Oconee Nuclear Station, improving the efficiency of Bad Creek Hydro, new poles, new wires, new technology that makes outages both easier to respond to and quicker in getting the lights back on for customers," Ryan Mosier said. 

Attorney General Josh Stein is appealing Duke's request to raise rates in North Carolina. The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved a 15% rate increase in December, but Stein argues the rates are too high and is asking the state Supreme Court to make a ruling. 

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