Bold claim: North Carolina’s electric bills could be poised to rise as data centers and new industries push the grid to its limits. That’s the core issue behind a Tuesday briefing from the state’s Energy Policy Task Force, which is evaluating how rapid load growth could strain reliability and accelerate costs for families.
Governor Josh Stein, who established the task force in August, publicly opposes Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike. Duke Energy is seeking a 15% increase over the next two years, a move that could add roughly $20 to $30 per month to the typical household by 2028. Stein commended Attorney General Jeff Jackson for stepping in, describing the proposed rise as “simply too high” when many families are already tightening their budgets.
Jackson’s office has also intervened to ensure customers aren’t paying more than necessary. In a statement, he emphasized that the review aims to balance investment in energy infrastructure with protecting North Carolinians’ wallets, noting that the rate decision should reflect a careful appraisal of necessity and fairness.
The task force’s focus on data centers stems from a statewide surge in demand that regulators nationwide are racing to understand. Tuesday’s meeting, chaired by Environmental Secretary Reid Wilson and Representative Kyle Hall, examined how states are coping with the data center boom and the broader electrification push. Industry experts from adjacent states warned that surging electricity needs are reshaping grids and prompting regulators to rethink who bears the cost of new power plants and transmission lines.
In Indiana, for example, regulators anticipate peak demand to rise as much as 60% by the 2030s, driven largely by data centers. State officials there have adopted rules requiring large users to cover most of the cost of new generation intended for their consumption, ensuring growth pays for itself. Meanwhile, Virginia has seen a flood of data center projects seeking grid access, particularly in Northern Virginia. Regulators responded by creating a separate electric rate class to ensure big tech customers pay their fair share, underscoring a broader push toward cost allocation fairness.
North Carolina faces similar dynamics. Duke has warned that demand from data centers, manufacturing, and electrification could outpace earlier forecasts. Following changes enacted by Senate Bill 266 this summer, residential customers could shoulder a larger portion of fuel and power costs, while large commercial users would carry less. Some task force members worry that if growth accelerates too quickly without policy updates, households may end up funding a disproportionate portion of long-term infrastructure.
The task force plans to issue recommendations in February on how to meet rising demand while keeping electricity reliable, clean, and affordable. The next full meeting is set for January 22, 2026.
