Let Duke know rate hike request is too much

Archived Opinion

Let Duke know rate hike request is too much

To the Editor:

Duke Energy has applied to the N.C. Utilities Commission for yet another rate increase in an attempt to force ratepayers to finance the cost over-runs of their ongoing construction on the new, un-needed coal-burning power plant at Cliffside in Rutherford County. This time Duke is asking for a residential rate increase of 17.4 percent on top of the 5 percent it just received for the increasing cost of fossil fuels. The cost of street lighting for local governments (and taxpayers) will rise another 8 percent if Duke’s request is granted.

This rate increase has the potential to cripple already struggling families, businesses and industries throughout our state, causing more mortgage foreclosures, business failures and job losses.

Isn’t it time we all stepped up to the plate to say “No?”

We will have the opportunity. The Utilities Commission is holding two public hearings in Western North Carolina on Duke Energy’s rate-hike request: in Marion, on Oct. 25 and in Franklin on Oct. 26. The undersigned organizations strongly urge you to attend one of these hearings to tell Duke Energy and the Utilities Commission how you feel about this matter.

For carpooling and more information call the office of the Canary Coalition at 828.631.3447 or visit www.canarycoalition.org.

Avram Friedman

Executive Director, The Canary Coalition

Macon Foscue

Active Students for a Healthy Environment

June Blotnick

Executive Director, Clean Air Carolina

Monica Embrey

Field Organizer, Greenpeace USA,

Michelle Price

Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance

Elaine Lite