Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC has filed an application with the Utilities Commission requesting authority to raise its rates for electric service. For a residential electric customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, the current monthly bill of $102.71 would increase to $108.43 under Duke’s proposal.

Wednesday evening in Graham there will be a 7 p.m. public hearing on the proposed rate increase at the Alamance County Historic Courthouse (1 Court Square) in Graham. Several environmental groups are protesting the increase at a demonstration, beginning at 6 p.m., also at the courthouse.

Thursday evening at 7 p.m. there will be a second public hearing on the proposal at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse (832 East 4th Street, Courtroom 5350) in Charlotte.

Customers can also submit a written statement to the Commission via email. Be sure to include docket number E-7 Sub 1214 in the subject line.

This week’s column is based on the proposed rate hike:

2 million — Number of Duke Energy Carolinas customers



6.7% — Proposed residential rate increase for Duke Energy Carolinas customers



$8.06 — Estimated bill increase for households that use an average of 1,000 kilowatt hours per month



10.92 — Cents per kilowatt hour paid by Duke Energy Carolinas residential customers



11.37 — Average cents per kWh, South Atlantic states



13.16 — Average cents per kWh , national



$297 million — Additional revenue the overall increase would generate for the utility



$6.94 billion —Revenue increase for the entire company, third quarter 2019



$4 million — Duke Energy Carolinas expenditures for “civic, political and related activity”



$24,000 — Amount contributed to Sen. Thom Tillis by Duke Energy Political Action Committee, 2019



$8,700 — To U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, representing NC Congressional District 8



$5,000 — Each to U.S. Reps. Patrick McHenry, Alma Adams, George Holding, David Rouzer



$2,500 — To U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop



$3.9 million — Lobbying expenses for entire Duke Energy company, 2019

Update: Political and lobbying expenses are not paid by customers, but by shareholders.

Sources: Duke Energy Carolinas website, NC Utilities Commission filings, OpenSecrets.org