Duke Energy wants 17 percent increase on SC homes

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Duke Energy is asking South Carolina regulators for permission to raise residential power rates by 17 percent.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based utility filed a request Friday with the South Carolina Public Service Commission to help recover part of the $6.5 billion it has spent on its electricity generating and transmission system in the Carolinas since 2009.

The company says the move would add about $15 to the average monthly home power bill of $99.

The request would have to be approved by state regulators. If approved, new rates would likely go into effect in February 2012.

The rate request also seeks increases for commercial and industrial customers.

The company has about 600,000 electricity customers in South Carolina and 1.8 million in North Carolina.