South Carolina utility regulators to take public comment on Duke Energy's proposal to raise residential power rates by 17% to help recover US$6.5B that utility has spent on generating, transmission system since 2009

Rachel Carter

SPARTANBURG, South Carolina , October 19, 2011 (Associated Press) – SC regulators holding public hearings on Duke proposal to raise residential power rates

South Carolina customers are getting a chance to weigh in on a proposed rate increase by Duke Energy Corp.

The Public Service Commission on Wednesday is holding the first of several public hearings at Spartanburg Community College. Other hearings are scheduled next month in Lancaster, Greenville and Anderson.

In August, Duke asked to raise South Carolina residential power rates by 17 percent, a move that would add about $15 to the average monthly home power bill of $99.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based utility has said it hopes the increase will help recover part of the $6.5 billion it has spent on its electricity generating and transmission system in the Carolinas since 2009.

If approved, Duke says the new rates would likely go into effect in February.

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