These utility bills are almost as bad as the job market: NC families struggle as temps and utility bills soar

‘Running out of corners to cut’: NC families struggle as temps and utility bills soar

This week’s 90-degree temperatures can be tough on customers who cannot afford to pay higher electric bills.

It comes as Duke Energy is requesting an 18% rate increase over the next two years from the Public Utilities Commission.

“We'll budget what we think it's going to be, and then we'll get the bill, and it'll be, like, $100 more, $200 more,” Joseph said.

“That means that we're running out of corners to cut,” Fuquay-Varina resident Melanie Joseph said. “You know, when we have to look at the bills, how much gas we can put in the car, where we can go, where we can't go.”

https://www.wral.com/news/investigates/north-carolina-utility-bills-duke-energy-warm-temperatures-april-2026/