Piedmont Residents Will Speak Out During Public Hearing on Duke Energy Rate Increase

Duke Energy customers hope their stories will prevent a rate hike. 

This evening, Winston-Salem will be the site of a public hearing regarding Duke Energy's request to increase utility rates. The company says the increase is needed to cover the cost of replacing and upgrading older, inefficient power facilities. Recently, Duke Energy reached a tentative agreement with the North Carolina Public Staff to reduce the average increase to 5.1%. Originally, the utility company asked for 9.7%. But nothing has yet been approved by the state's utility commission.

Tonight's public hearing will be at the Forsyth County Court House at 200 North Main Street. It begins at 7 p.m. and will be in courtroom 1C.  Opponents plan to rally outside of the courthouse around 5 p.m.