consumers

From WNCN, RALEIGH, N.C. -

"On March 18, the North Carolina Utilities Commission will make a decision that will affect 1.3 million Progress Energy customers.

The company is proposing a reduced rate hike of 5.7 percent over the next two years and that is not sitting well with some customers.

At a public hearing tonight, Progress Energy customers from all over the state testified for and against the proposed rate hike. Before the hearing opponents from the AARP, Green Peace, and NC Warn amongst others, said if Progress invested more in clean energy, they wouldn't need to charge customers more in the first place.