**A Widower's Struggle:**

As a North Carolina resident and a widower, I have been grappling with unusually high energy bills that do not align with my modest lifestyle. My story is not unique. Many, including myself, have observed a significant spike in utility bills after the installation of Duke Energy's smart meters. Despite using solar outdoor lighting, forgoing holiday decorations, and being away from home 12-14 hours a day, my bills remain unreasonably high. I once had an analog meter installed that provided accurate billing, but it was replaced with a smart meter and the overcharges returned. Upon requesting another analog meter installation, Duke Energy insisted on charging exorbitant fees, leaving me feeling trapped and unheard.

**The Bigger Picture:**

This is a widespread issue affecting countless residents in North Carolina, and it's time to address it head-on. Many customers have reported bill spikes that seem unexplained and unfair following the smart meter installations. Transparency and fairness are essential, and the public deserves to know the accuracy and legitimacy of their bills.

**A Call for Formal Investigation:**

We need the North Carolina Utilities Commission to step in and conduct a thorough investigation into the practices of Duke Energy. This will ensure that Duke is held accountable and that billing processes are transparent and fair. Such an investigation can reveal unjust practices, force Duke to provide fair justification for billing, mandate refunds for overcharges, and potentially revert questionable policies that may contribute to inflated bills.

**Concrete Steps:**

1. **Comprehensive Investigation:** Demand a detailed and transparent audit of the billing practices related to smart meters at Duke Energy.
2. **Customer Rights:** Ensure customers have the option to use analog meters without prohibitive costs.
3. **Review and Refund Overcharges:** Identify any overcharges and initiate a refund process for affected customers.
4. **Policy Reform:** Implement changes to prevent future occurrences of unjust billing practices.

**Why Your Support Matters:**

This issue is not just about individual bills; it’s a matter of trust and fairness for the entire Duke Energy customer base. Many individuals, especially those living on fixed incomes, are disproportionately affected and need our voices in their fight for justice.

By signing this petition, you are urging the North Carolina Utilities Commission to take action, ensuring equitable and transparent utility practices for all customers. **Your support can make a difference – sign now to demand change!**