Dive Summary: 

• Progress Energy, part of a recent merger with Duke Energy, is planning on requesting a rate increase for the first time since 1988. 
• Despite the merger, both Duke and Progress subsidiaries operate separately and have unique rates. 
• Ultimately, Progress may need reach a compromise on the final rate increase with consumer advocates after a series of legal proceedings.

 From the article: 

Progress Energy officials plan to file a request for a rate increase early next month, the first such request the company has made in a quarter century.

In a letter to the state’s Utilities Commission, Progress officials said they expect to file their request on or about Oct. 5. Details of the size of the request increase won’t be known until the filing is made. ...