INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — Duke Energy has requested a rate increase citing cleaner electricity, improving the reliability of electric service and investments.
The request comes after the company said it's taking significant steps to serve "a growing customer base" and to fulfill their "environmental responsibilities."
Customers could see an overall average rate increase of 15 percent within the next couple years.
"If approved, the increase will be added to bills in two steps, approximately 13% in mid-2020 and 2% in 2021.Timing will depend on state regulatory commission action," Duke wrote in a release.
The increase will vary among consumers. If approved, the company's typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month could expect a monthly bill increase of about $23, or approximately 77 cents per day.
To help customers save, the company is proposing a pilot program with time-of-use rates.
The new rates would include innovations, upgrades and improvements such as cleaner energy, improving reliability, reducing power outages and money-saving opportunities.