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The average utility rate in the U.S. in 2013 was 12.54 cents/kwh, according to this chart. So OP's rate is almost 18% below the national average. It's also below the NC average of 11.04 cents/kwh.
But this is different than your first claim, i.e. can't afford it. Obviously if they have agreed with the state, then you were incorrect about that one.
In terms of waiting, the money for the cleanup has been coming from Duke all along.
Consider yourself lucky. I'd love to have TWC and Duke. I'm stuck with my city's electric provider (something like 14c/KWH) and Suddenlink- the absolute worst cable/internet company I've ever dealt with. Would easily put them behind TWC, Charter and Centurylink. They charge ridiculous rates for a crappy service and lie, lie, lie.
I used to pay more when I lived in other states, the issue is not just the cost it's not having a choice.. I don't like it for energy, internet access, water.. everything related to having a house..
Well, I have an option, septic tank, nope, can't do that, HOA won't allow it.. :-)
10.4 cents a kilowatt is not bad at all! It's a competitive rate compared to national rates. Look at rates around the country and you will feel better about dukes rate.
My meager attempt to lash out at the company was to purchase 100's of dollars worth of LED lamps (of which they subsidize a 50% reduction in price). After installing those as well as an energy efficient thermostat and taking other energy saving measures, I can honestly say Duke isn't making near the same amount of money from me as before.
Our vacation home is in the mountains and has an electric co-op that buys energy from Duke and re-sells it. Pricier than in Durham where we're direct with Duke.
Nonetheless I understand and agree. It's hard for cities to always run energy programs well -- witness the mess ElectriCities got into with taking on bond debt for nuclear power in the 80s, which has long been a scourge to Eastern NC and is just now getting wound down, ironically with help from Duke Energy.
But I would love to see a separation of paying for connectivity and paying for energy. One fee to Duke or your city/co-op for running the lines/grid and delivering energy; another to the provider of the energy. Let us all compete on that front.
Of course, you can fight back as well by going solar at your house... cut your bill and stuff excess energy onto the grid (and get paid for it.) The more people do that, the more it undermines the traditional generation approach Duke takes, and likely the faster coal is replaced by natural gas, since the latter does better with the kind of intermittent energy demand that solar/renewable-heavy energy systems have...
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