North Carolinians cannot afford this rate increase. When people have to choose between their necessities and power then the utility commission is not doing their job. 27,882 North Carolinians had their power turned off due to inability to pay bill in September and October 2011. Duke Energy asked for 18%, then a week before the last hearing they submitted 12 %. The week of the last hearing we were offered a 7.2% settlement. How much does Duke Energy really need? It seems they have been able to figure out how to do without half of their original request in the matter of a few weeks. Like many North Carolinians have had to learn how to do, Duke Energy needs to learn how to do more with less.