Consumer department did not sign off

Not all of the parties to the Duke Energy rate increase signed off.  A spokesman for the Public Service Commission says the state Department of Consumer Affairs did not sign the agreement that allows Duke Energy Carolinas to implement the increases as early as August 1.  Rob Bockman, PSC spokesman, says the PSC partially accepted and approved the agreement proposed by the Office of Regulatory Staff.  He said, “Partial approval means that the Commission accepts some parts of the agreement proposed by the parties but does not approve certain portions of the Agreement as proposed.  In this specific instance, as found on page 21 of the Order, ‘The Commission, having carefully reviewed the Agreement and all of the evidence of record, finds and concludes that, with the exception of certain provisions related to coal ash, all remaining provisions of the Agreement are just and reasonable, are in the public interest, and should be approved.'”