Progress Energy's North Carolina customers could be in for a slight rate reduction this year, thanks to the falling price of the fuels Progress uses for its power plants.

The Raleigh-based company told South Carolina regulators today it plans to cut rates in that state to account for falling fuel costs, largely attributable to record-low costs of natural gas. The change would reduce a typical residential bill by about $3.50 a month for that state's 175,000 customers.

Progress is expected to make a similar request in this state next month. While the cost factors from state to state are not identical, the South Carolina filing indicates that residential and business customers in this state would see a potential decrease as well.

The typical residential monthly bill is $106 in this state for Progress customers, based on 1,000 kilowatt hours of monthly usage. The company has 1.3 million customers in North Carolina.
 

With gas prices in the Triangle hovering at about $3.75 per gallon, Kroger has got perfect timing on its gasoline rewards program.

Now through April 7, you can score yourself up to $1 off per gallon much more quickly with enhanced fuel rewards.

Here's how the promotion works:

Duke Energy's customers will see a rate increase of about $5 a month next month as the power company passes on the cost of coal and other fuels used to make electricity.

The N.C. Utilities Commission approved the fuel adjustment yesterday and posted its order online this morning. The increase will raise a typical monthly bill to about $97, as reported by our sister paper, The Charlotte Obsever.

The fuel costs will add about $4.50 to the monthly bill of a household that uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of power.

Additionally, Duke is seeking to add 47 cents a month to residential bills to cover the costs of renewables and efficiency programs. The utilities commission is expected to rule on that request soon.

Duke has 1.8 million customers in the state, including 170,000 in Durham, Chapel Hill and other parts of the western Triangle.

Duke customers can expect steeper cost increases in the future. Duke recently asked the commission for a 15 percent rate hike to cover the costs of new power plants, transmission lines and other operating costs.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday that it has approved higher levels of corn-based ethanol in fuel for cars manufactured in the last decade.

Duke University and Duke Energy are working together to create a green machine from hog waste.

Duke Energy's residential customers in this state can expect a 6.5 percent discount on their power bills starting next month.

The change will be a welcome surprise for recession-weary residents who have watched their power bills go up dramatically in recent years.

State regulators approved three rate adjustments this month for the Charlotte-based electric utility. The combined effect of the changes will reduce the monthly bill of a typical customer from $95.72 to $89.52.

School districts are being warned they might have problems getting fuel for school buses this week.

The State Department of Public Instruction says fuel vendors are saying that Hurricane Ike has disrputed their fuel supplies. This has left some school districts with only a day or two of fuel remaining.

While Wake says it's ok, Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools is in emergency mode after having not gotten two shipments of fuel. Charlotte has cancelled field trips, middle school sports and tutoring to conserve its supply. 

UPDATE

Read Charlotte's press release.