ACTION Alert "Just Say NO" to Duke rate hikes

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19th, RALEIGH

Showdown Hearing on Duke Energy’s Huge Rate Hike to Fund the Cliffside Power Plant

WHEN: 12 noon Rally and Press Conference; 1 pm Public Hearing

WHERE: “Just Say No” Rally on the grassy mall in front of Dobbs Building, 430 North Salisbury, Raleigh. Public Hearing in the Utilities Commission Hearing Room 2115, Dobbs Building.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: Duke Energy is requesting a 13.5 percent rate increase for residential electricity customers.  This includes hundreds of millions of up-front dollars to finance the Cliffside coal-fired power plant, now under construction, and more for the other rising costs of coal-fired electricity. 

This rate hike, if approved, will be on top of the 4.5 percent fuel cost increase (largely for coal) that the Commission recently granted – for a 18% total rate increase for residential customers. Imagine if your household’s monthly bill is $100, you could be paying $216 more next year! This increase will be a doubly tough burden for families on low or fixed incomes.

Meanwhile, Duke continues to solicit thousands of new customers outside its service area to justify buildingCliffside – after insisting for three years that Cliffside is vital for handling growth within its service area. (See EIGHT FACTORS Proving Cliffside Isn’t Needed: top of www.ncwarn.org)

WHO CAN TESTIFY: Anyone who has not testified at the previous regional rate hike hearings. It helps if you are a Duke ratepayer or speak for one, but that has not been required. Your testimony may be limited to 3 minutes, but that has varied.

HOW YOU CAN SHOW SUPPORT IF YOU DON’T TESTIFY: Come to the press conference and rally. Bring signs if you can but we will have extras. Then come to the public hearing and wear one of our “No Rate Hike – No Cliffside” stickers.

Duke invests millions to influence our political and civic leaders every year.  Help offset Duke’s control over our democracy by making your voice heard!

Please send comments – short or long –to NC Utilities Commission Chair Ed Finley: finley@ncuc.net and reference docket # E-7 Sub909. Tell him we can’t afford a rate hike, especially now. And tell him we won’t stand for Duke charging us for another climate change generating and polluting coal plant that is totally unnecessary except to enhance Duke’s expansion plans in South Carolina.

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD!