$DUK

Duke Energy said severe storms in the Greater Cincinnati area left more than 160,000 customers without power as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, after a peak of over 180,000. About 134,000 outages were in southwest Ohio and about 26,000 in Northern Kentucky. The company warned of additional severe weather overnight and said crews are working to restore service.

Clearwater, Florida ended its review of taking over electric service and instead approved a new 30-year deal with Duke Energy, according to Tampa Bay Beacons. The city council also approved a memorandum of agreement with about $2 million in Duke commitments, including $600,000 for storm hardening and $100,000 over five years for a retail project. A 2024 city-commissioned study had projected millions in savings under public power.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) completed a US$1.75 billion composite units offering in August 2026, selling 35,000,000 equity/derivative units at US$50 each, with Santander US, CIBC, RBC, Scotia Capital (USA) and TD Securities (USA) as co-lead underwriters. The funds support AI-linked data center power demand under long-term service agreements, alongside solid Q2 2026 results.

According to Duke Energy, more than 2,000 customers in South Carolina’s Upstate lost power during a severe thunderstorm warning on Friday. As of 5 p.m., Greenville County had 801 customers without power with restoration estimated at 9:30 p.m., and Spartanburg County had 1,426 with restoration estimated at 9:15 p.m.

A 59-year-old former manager at Duke Energy Business Services sued the company on Aug. 13, 2026, alleging she was fired after 37 years due to age and gender, and in retaliation for taking FMLA medical leave. The complaint cites a reduced merit raise (~0.50% vs up to 3%), a Performance Improvement Plan, and termination in late April 2026.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson accused Duke Energy of false sworn testimony about a proposed rate increase. At a state commission hearing, Duke said residential hikes would average 6.8%, but Jackson’s office calculated a 9.3% increase. Jackson says he will not sign the settlement. Duke denies misleading regulators. Environmental groups also urge lower profit targets and more renewables.

FOX19 reports that more than 11,000 Duke Energy customers in the Cincinnati area remained without power Friday after storms Tuesday and Wednesday. Duke said it restored service for over 200,000 customers in under 48 hours and added crews from partners in the Carolinas. Outages were attributed to downed lines and snapped poles, with restoration times posted online.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson says Duke Energy Progress misstated the proposed two-year residential rate increase before the Utilities Commission. He argues Duke’s 6.8% figure reflects all customer classes, while DOJ calculations show about 9.3% for residential customers. Duke sought 18.1%, later proposed a settlement. Commission review continues; if approved, rates start Jan. 1, 2027.

The U.S. Department of the Interior reached agreements totaling about $3.9 billion (March to August) with TotalEnergies, Bluepoint Wind, Golden State Wind, Invenergy, Duke Energy and RWE to settle offshore wind lease claims. RWE received $1.22 billion and plans $900 million in LNG infrastructure. The deals require or encourage comparable investment in gas/LNG/oil rather than wind.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson challenged Duke Energy’s under-oath description of a proposed electricity rate settlement. Duke says rates would rise 6.8% over two years. Jackson argues residential customers would face a 9.3% increase. The Utilities Commission must approve the settlement, which would take effect Jan. 1.