S.C. Proposes Duke Half Rate Hike Request

South Carolina regulators have filed a counter proposal that would limit a rate increase proposed by Duke Energy.

The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg reports (http://bit.ly/12FpGnA ) that the Office of Regulatory Staff filed testimony Monday that would nearly cut in half the increase proposed by the Charlotte-based utility. .

In March, Duke proposed raising rates by 15% to help generate an extra $220 million each year. Duke says it would raise the rate for a homeowner who uses 1,000 kilowatts of power a month by $18 to around $118.

Duke also is asking for a 14% increase in rates for industrial customers. Public hearings will likely be this summer.

Duke last raised rates in February 2012. It has 540,000 South Carolina customers, mostly in the Upstate.