• The filing seeks a base rate increase and a reduction in the natural gas cost rate

• Cost allocation across residential, commercial and industrial customer groups will be reviewed during the proceeding

(SeaPRwire) –   CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 1, 2026 — Piedmont Natural Gas submitted an official request today to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina to update its customer billing rates through a full general rate case proceeding.

The adjusted rates will allow Piedmont to recoup recent utility capital investments made for its expanding South Carolina customer base, and cover the higher cost of capital that has taken effect since the company’s last rate case.

If the request is approved, Piedmont expects the new rates to go into effect on October 1, 2026. The average residential customer in South Carolina will pay roughly $7.67 more each month, which equals an annual increase of $92.

Piedmont is also requesting simultaneous rate cuts for pass-through natural gas costs, a change that will help reduce the overall impact of the adjustment on customer bills. The total requested overall revenue increase is 6.3%.

Piedmont provides natural gas service to approximately 170,000 customers across Anderson, Spartanburg, Greenville and Cherokee counties in South Carolina. The company’s last general rate case proceeding in the state was held in 2022.

“Piedmont works hard to keep costs as low as possible while delivering safe, reliable service to all our customers,” said Emily Henson, president of Piedmont Natural Gas. “Raising rates is a decision we never take lightly, and we understand that any increase can create challenges for some customers.

“Piedmont remains focused on supporting our customers to manage their monthly bills and energy use,” Henson continued. “We offer a range of helpful options, including our Equal Payment Plan program, multiple payment assistance programs, and energy-saving tips and tools.”

Stabilize your bill with the Equal Payment Plan (EPP) program
Piedmont’s free EPP program helps customers manage their household budgets by leveling out fluctuations in natural gas bills, letting users pay a predictable, equal monthly amount to avoid unexpected billing spikes. Piedmont calculates this fixed payment by adding up a customer’s total annual natural gas usage, then splitting that total into equal monthly payments. Learn more here.

Assistance for customers in need
Share the Warmth provides funding to local agencies to help families cover their utility bills, no matter what type of energy a household uses. Contact information for approved assistance agencies across Piedmont’s full service area is available at piedmontng.com/ShareTheWarmth.

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) offers payment assistance for all home energy sources, including natural gas, electricity and other residential energy services.

Piedmont encourages anyone in need of support to apply for this program and other newly available assistance options to check if they qualify. For more details, visit piedmontng.com/AssistancePrograms.

Energy-saving tips and tools
Piedmont Natural Gas also provides a variety of energy-saving tips and tools to help customers and local communities find ways to save energy and lower costs all year round. These resources help customers understand what factors impact their natural gas bills, and highlight specific actions they can take to prepare for higher usage and reduce its financial impact.

Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, distributes natural gas to more than 1 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers across North Carolina and South Carolina. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: Facebook.

Media Contact: Jason Wheatley
Media Telephone: 877.348.3612
jason.wheatley@duke-energy.com

SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas