DURHAM, N.C. (Aug. 13, 2026) — Two North Carolina environmental justice organizations are calling on Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC), a subsidiary of Duke Energy, to reduce its proposed rate increase and consider greater protections for its residential customers, who are bearing the brunt of both data center-driven and fuel-related cost increases.
North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN) and the Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN), represented by Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ), filed a consumer statement this week with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) regarding DEC’s request to increase rates over 2027 and 2028. The statement was submitted to the ratemaking docket, which currently includes a proposed settlement with a 9.5% rate increase for residential customers.
Click here to read the statement.
The NCUC is currently reviewing DEC’s proposed retail electric rate increases, a process mandated by state law that helps ensure reliable, economical, and reasonable utility service to the state’s residents. In June, NCEJN and EJCAN also submitted a consumer statement in the biennial Carbon Plan process, centering the disproportionate burdens energy decisions place on vulnerable communities.
“Our communities are paying exorbitant utility prices while Duke CEOs and data centers reap the benefits,” said Sherri White-Williamson, Executive Director of EJCAN. “We are asking for nothing more than fairness, affordability, and the ability to keep our lights on.”
“The public should not be forced to foot the bill and bear the risks for data centers and volatile fossil fuel infrastructure,” said Rania Masri, Co-Director of NCEJN.
The statement makes several key points, including:
- Duke’s proposed increases are not justified. We are asking DEC to reduce its aggressive return rate for profits on capital investments. Recent significant rate increases have already returned excess profits for DEC shareholders while customers have not seen noticeable improvements in reliability.
- Customers are forced to bear the brunt of volatile and rising fuel costs. To minimize the impact of fuel cost increases on residential customers, DEC should share costs and invest in fuel-cost-saving solutions like renewable energy and energy efficiency. Currently, DEC passes along 100% of fuel costs to customers and primarily relies on fossil fuel-based energy generation.
- Data centers should pay their fair share. Data centers and other large-load customers — the primary reason for the projected growth in demand across North Carolina — should have their own rate class with a tailored tariff.
- The public should know what they are paying for. Current business practices involving data centers are kept hidden from the public while they progress rapidly and bring significant costs.
“DEC has responded to the significant public pushback by reducing its original rate increase request, but the company still has a long way to go to protect residential ratepayers from the projected increase in data center energy demands and fossil fuel price volatility,” said Cliff Robins, Senior Counsel for Environmental Justice at SCSJ. “Further reducing its proposed rate increase and improving public transparency are key steps DEC should take to meet its obligation to provide reliable, economic, and reasonable utility service to North Carolinians.”
###
Southern Coalition for Social Justice came together in 2007 to give Black, Brown, and low-income people better resources in the fight for justice across the South. We are lawyers, social scientists, and communications professionals working to dismantle racism and oppression in the criminal legal system, in our environment, and at the ballot box. Learn more at southerncoalition.org and follow our work on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN) is a North Carolina-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on, and dedicated to, achieving environmental justice. EJCAN provides resources to communities in Sampson County, NC seeking assistance in improving the environment where they live, work, play and pray. EJCAN serves these communities by empowering them with the technical, scientific, legal, educational and funding resources they need to overcome the powerful interests that stand in the way of successfully addressing the environmental problems they face.
North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN) is a grassroots, people of color-led coalition of community organizations and their supporters who work with low-income communities and people of color on issues of climate, environmental, racial, and social injustice.