Thank you to everyone who has raised concerns about rising utility costs in Rocky Mount. I understand how stressful higher bills can be, and I want to share some context about how we got here and what we’re doing.

Since before 2017, Councilmember Blackwell and I have consistently pushed for transparency and accountability around our electric rates. At one point, Rocky Mount’s electric rates were nearly three times higher than some neighboring communities. That concern led to public pressure and legal action related to our participation in the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA), which includes 32 cities that jointly purchase wholesale power.

When Duke Energy bought out Progress Energy, the proceeds from our generator asset sale were placed into a rate stabilization fund. For years, when Duke raised wholesale rates, we did not immediately pass those increases along to residents. Instead, we used the stabilization fund to soften the impact. That approach allowed us to avoid rate increases from 2017 until June 2025. However, during financial strain and rising wholesale costs, much of that reserve has now been depleted.

Our city does not generate its own electricity or natural gas. We purchase power and gas on the open market, and when costs rise—especially during unexpectedly cold winters—we must adjust accordingly. This past winter, gas prices were higher than projected, and that contributed to increased bills. Riders were added to help manage those costs.

There was also a billing cycle issue discovered recently. Meter readings were being sent to a third-party billing vendor approximately 30 days after they were taken, which caused delays and overlapping bills. When I was informed, I pushed for corrections so customers would be billed based on actual usage. The “second bill” many people saw was not for unearned charges; it reflected energy that had been used but not previously billed.

We have approximately 26,000 to 30,000 utility customers, all on different billing cycles, so correcting the system has required coordination and time. Our billing department is currently severely understaffed, with only three representatives, and they are working hard to respond to concerns.

We have made several commitments to protect residents:
• No power has been turned off due to this situation.
• If you set up a payment arrangement, there will be no cutoff.
• Late fees can be waived upon request.
• Flexible payment plans are available.
• We offer an Energy Share program for those who qualify.

We are currently awaiting a state audit, which will determine whether any errors occurred. If it is found that customers were overcharged, we will make it right. We want to be transparent, but at times we receive new information at the same time the public does. If our understanding evolves, it is not because we were concealing information—it’s because we are working through a complex system in real time.

It’s important to understand how our structure works. In North Carolina, electric service involves multiple entities: Electric Cities, NCEMPA, and the Rate Committee. Rocky Mount participates in these organizations to purchase power in bulk at lower block rates than we could individually. The Rate Committee sets wholesale rates, and municipalities then determine local adjustments. I encourage residents to request and review NCEMPA minutes and Rate Committee documents to better understand how rates are set.

For years, we avoided rate increases because we believed using the Duke settlement funds was in residents’ best interest. Now, with rising wholesale costs and depleted reserves, we had to implement increases in June 2025 and again three months later. An independent audit also found that our enterprise funds—water and sewer—had not kept pace with actual costs.

I know emotions are high. I simply ask that residents continue to ask questions, do their research, and approach this conversation constructively. We are committed to openness, fairness, and working through this responsibly.

Andre Knight
Rocky Mount City Council – Ward 1