Utilities Watchdog Project In the News

By David Ranii, Staff Writer. PSNC Energy is seeking a 3 percent rate increase that would raise the natural gas bill for the average residential customer by $3 a month, or $36 a year. The Gastonia-based company says higher rates are justified by higher costs and because the average household is using less gas ..."It has to come with accountability," Becker said. "If it doesn't, we're just giving the utility money for global warming or warm weather patterns."

By Christopher Kirkpatrick ..."Save-a-watt is extremely speculative by design and introduces excessive administrative burdens. There are cheaper and better ways to gain energy efficiency," said Shana Becker, a consumer advocate with N.C. PIRG, a consumer protection group.

Two months after the passage of a landmark state law to promote alternative energy, environmental and consumer advocates are still at odds with the state’s large power companies over how much consumers will end up paying for greener energy.

Local governments have pressured lawmakers in North Carolina to back off a proposal to limit the ability of municipalities to build and operate their own high-speed Internet networks.

Power companies and environmentalists disagree on the merits of an energy bill before the state Legislature, but both sides warn that the bill could affect electric rates.

WILSON, N.C. — The possibilities excited Rusty Stephens as soon as he heard about Wilson's plans to lay fiber-optic cable to every address in the city.

The company that provides the world's largest Internet search engine has sided with Wilson and North Carolina's other municipalities in a political fight over a bill that would limit a municipality's ability to provide Internet and other communications services to its citizens.

Two groups involved in negotiating the Senate version of the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard have withdrawn their support for the bill, at least in its current form.

RALEIGH — A bill utility companies say would protect them from unfair competition has raised the ire of city leaders and public interest advocates, who complain it will stifle competition.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Progress Energy is trying to avoid expanding the Shearon Harris nuclear power plant, by raising rates and making a big push to get its customers to save energy.

Proposed energy legislation in the N.C. General Assembly would allow utilities to get a return on their plant construction expenses before a facility is completed.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission was back at his alma mater Monday. Chairman Kevin Martin was a guest speaker at UNC-Chapel Hill to honor a new program being offered on campus.

The state's biggest telephone company will be taken over by AT&T and cease to exist as an independent entity. The merger was approved Friday by federal regulators after AT&T agreed to a host of consumer protections.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- As consumers grit their teeth with every trip to the pump, the high prices are even harder to swallow when oil companies report record profits.