Robeson County Residents Oppose Duke Energy's Proposed Rate Hike

Residents say utility bills are already straining family budgets, as Duke Energy seeks to raise electricity rates across North Carolina.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:06pm

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Residents of Robeson County, North Carolina, spoke out against Duke Energy's proposed electricity rate increases at a public hearing held by the N.C. Utilities Commission. Felicia Dethea, a single mother of two, said her family's monthly power bills between $600 and $800 already strain their budget, especially with family members needing to run air filters and nebulizers due to asthma. Other residents echoed concerns about the impact of higher rates on low-income families in one of the poorest counties in the state.

Why it matters

Robeson County has the highest poverty rate in North Carolina, with nearly 29% of residents living below the poverty line. Utility bills are already a major financial burden for many families, and further rate hikes could force some to choose between paying for electricity or other basic necessities like food and medicine.

The details

Duke Energy is requesting permission from the N.C. Utilities Commission to raise electricity rates for its customers across the state. If approved, Duke Energy Progress customers using 1,000 kWh per month would pay about $28.06 more each month starting in January, with another $6.59 increase in 2028. Duke Energy Carolinas customers would see a $17.22 monthly increase. Duke Energy says the rate hikes are needed to fund $8.3 billion in new investments, including battery storage projects and the license renewal of a nuclear plant.

  • The N.C. Utilities Commission is hosting public hearings across the state to gather feedback on Duke Energy's proposed rate increases.
  • Duke Energy invested more than $25 million in capital projects in Robeson and Scotland counties in 2025 and allocated $34 million to the distribution grid serving the counties in its 2026 budget.

The players

Felicia Dethea

A 48-year-old single mother of two in Maxton, North Carolina, who testified that her family's monthly power bills between $600 and $800 already strain their budget.

Gene McLaurin

The chair of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, who was the only person to speak in favor of the rate increase at the public hearing.

Linda Leggett

The manager of the energy program at the Robeson County Department of Social Services, who said utility bills have been "unusually higher than normal" since last fall.

Brianna Goodwin

The director of the Robeson County Church and Community Center in Lumberton, who said the nonprofit has helped 145 households pay their bills since July 2025.

Nancy Catherine Hunt

A Lumberton resident and co-director of the health equity nonprofit Resourceful Connections of North Carolina, who testified that electricity is a "basic necessity" for many Robeson County residents with chronic diseases.

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What they’re saying

“We depend on constant, reliable, and affordable electricity.”

— Felicia Dethea, Maxton resident

“I ask that you look at me not as an account number. Look at me as a resident, as a teacher, and as a mother.”

— Felicia Dethea, Maxton resident

“The demand is devastating. We have residents living without electricity for six months or more, and even those with chronic medical conditions are unable to keep up with rising costs.”

— Brianna Goodwin, Director, Robeson County Church and Community Center

“Electricity is a basic necessity, particularly for the high number of Robeson County residents with chronic diseases.”

— Nancy Catherine Hunt, Lumberton resident and co-director, Resourceful Connections of North Carolina

“We know we live in inflationary times, and when we have inflationary times, everybody cuts back. But it seems like we're asking the consumer to be the one to do all the cutting back. We're not asking Duke Energy to tighten the belt.”

— Nancy Catherine Hunt, Lumberton resident and co-director, Resourceful Connections of North Carolina

What’s next

The N.C. Utilities Commission will continue to gather public feedback on Duke Energy's proposed rate increases before making a final decision.

The takeaway

This case highlights the financial strain that rising utility costs are placing on low-income families in Robeson County, one of the poorest areas of North Carolina. As Duke Energy seeks to raise rates to fund infrastructure investments, residents are pleading for the company and regulators to consider the impact on struggling households.