State poll: Voters across party lines support energy competition and choice

A new statewide poll shows voters across party lines support more competition and consumer choice in their energy providers.

The 2023 North Carolina Energy Poll found that nearly four in five voters would support candidates who want to change the state’s regulatory policies to allow for more energy competition and consumer choice.

According to the poll, conducted by a non-profit called Conservatives for Clean Energy, more than 80% of voters support legislation requiring a study to examine options for modernizing Duke Energy’s monopoly to provide more competition and direct sales from other providers, such as wind and solar providers.

"It bridges the political divide that we see in politics today, and not just here in North Carolina, but also nationally," said Paul Shumaker, a political consultant. "The majority of Republicans embrace it, an overwhelming majority of Democrats, and more than two out of three unaffiliated voters embrace renewable sources."

Almost 63% of voters believe that North Carolina’s renewable energy resources should be expanded, according to the poll. About 85% of voters oppose letting Duke Energy own all new clean energy generation if other private energy businesses such as solar, wind, or battery companies can provide those projects at a cheaper cost, including 78% of Republicans.

"Consumers here are looking at technology as a way of giving them more reliable energy needs, but at the same time giving them options in the marketplace for price points that we aren't seeing right now," Shumaker said.

The survey results come as energy prices are on the rise. Duke Energy is asking the Utilities Commission to raise residential electricity rates by nearly 20% over the next three years.