We are a close-knit community in North Carolina, majority of us financial stable families, yet recently brought to our knees by exorbitant electricity bills levied by Duke Energy. Despite a stipulated 4.5% reduction in consumer rates, our bills have instead surprisingly doubled or tripled for the months of December and January. We've directly seen the debilitating financial strain it has brought to many among us, with difficult decisions being made on whether to finance transportation or accommodate this drastic increase. Regrettably, our location in an affluent neighborhood appears to place us in a vulnerable group, absorbing more of the Rider Adjustments to assist unable-to-pay customers and finance ambiguous "energy programs". These schemes have not been delivered or even planned openly in the two years we have been paying for them. Our repeated concerns raised to Duke Energy and the NC Utilities Commission have been dismissed, with an expectation for us to instigate a petition to voice our grievances. With this petition, we urge the NC Utilities Commission to investigate and address these bill inflation instances and demand Duke Energy transparency regarding the use of the Rider Adjustments funds, as we are burdened without any visible benefits. We kindly request local residents to support our cause and sign this petition.