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Published Wed, Dec 09, 2009 06:16 AM
Modified Tue, Dec 08, 2009 08:57 PM

Duke to raise power rates

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Duke Energy, the state's largest electric utility, will raise rates in January.

The effect on a typical residential customer will be about $7 a month, but the actual amount will vary by house size and energy usage.

The N.C. Utilities Commission approved the rate increase Tuesday morning. The Charlotte-based power company will phase in the increase over two years. The company will raise rates 3.8 percent in January and raise rates again by 3.2 percent in 2011.

Duke has 2.4 million customers in the Carolinas, including more than 160,000 in Chapel Hill, Durham and other parts of the western Triangle.

The amount of the increase is based on an October compromise agreement with the Public Staff, the state's consumer advocacy agency in utility rate cases.

The increase will be the company's first base rate increase since 1991.

Staff writer John Murawski

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