Ayden, North Carolina residents are battling soaring utility bills driven by a tangled web of wholesale power contracts, legacy nuclear debt, and a municipal utility structure that operates with almost zero state regulatory oversight. This surge has placed a significant financial burden on households in the community, many of which are already struggling to make ends meet. The town runs its own electric utility — one of 32 members of the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) — meaning the NC Utilities Commission has no authority over its rates. This leaves the five-member Ayden Board of Commissioners as the sole rate-setting body, and residents’ primary leverage lies in public hearings, political pressure, and organized community action. The good news: NCEMPA retired its decades-old, multi-billion-dollar debt in July 2025, which should reduce wholesale power costs by roughly 9%. Whether Ayden passes those savings to customers is now the central question and we urgently call upon  the Town of Ayden to investigate and address the root causes of these escalated charges.

Several factors could contribute to the increase in electricity costs, including changes in rate structures, additional fees, or broader economic factors. It is crucial, however, to ensure that these increases are fair and not a result of inefficiencies, excessive profit margins, poor business deals, or errors in billing.

The situation demands a thorough audit of the billing processes and rate structures to ensure transparency and fairness. Moreover, it is essential for our local government and local utilities to engage in open communication with the residents, providing clear reasons for the rate hikes and outlining any expected future changes.

We believe these increases to be avoidable. Regardless, additional measures should be explored to mitigate the impact on consumers, such as introducing energy efficiency programs, offering discounts for low-income households, or implementing gradual payment plans. The financial well-being of Ayden's residents must not be compromised without a justified cause.

Join us in demanding accountability and fairness in our electricity billing. Sign this petition to advocate for a comprehensive investigation and ensure that the residents of Ayden are charged fairly for their energy consumption. Together, we can push for positive change and relief for our community. Please sign and share this petition.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING concerning Duke Energy Rates, RALEIGH: March 30th, https://www.ncuc.gov/Hearings/hearings.html