Duke Energy Carolinas proposes new rates to support ongoing efforts to build a stronger energy future for South Carolina customers

Core Viewpoint - Duke Energy Carolinas has requested a public review of its current rates from South Carolina regulators, seeking an overall annual revenue increase of $150.5 million, which equates to a 7.7% increase over current revenues [2]. Financial Impact - If the request is approved, typical residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will see their monthly electric bills rise by $10.38, from $136.82 to $147.19, effective March 1, 2026 [2]. - Commercial customers will experience an average increase of 5.4%, while industrial customers will see an average increase of around 5.2% [2]. Company Commitment - Duke Energy emphasizes its commitment to meeting customers' expectations regarding reliability, responsiveness, affordability, and value, while also supporting South Carolina's economic growth [2][4]. Infrastructure Investments - The company has made significant investments in grid improvements, which have enhanced storm response capabilities and reduced outages for customers [3][7]. - Recent upgrades include smart, self-healing technology that automatically restored over 35,000 customer outages and saved more than 153,000 hours of total outage time during Hurricane Helene [7]. Company Overview - Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, operates with 20,800 megawatts of energy capacity, serving 2.9 million customers across a 24,000-square-mile area in North and South Carolina [5]. - Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company, serves 8.6 million customers across multiple states and is focused on an ambitious energy transition, investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation sources [6][8].