Duke Energy warns customers of higher power bills

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Duke Energy is warning its customers that the hot weather will send their power bills higher.

The current heat wave has prompted Duke Energy to run radio advertisements to prepare customers for higher bills and to give information on payment plans and conservation.

The radio spots run in English and Spanish and will air for the next three days in the Carolinas and Duke Energy's three-state Midwest territory. They direct customers to the utility's Web site for information about an equal pay plan, which allows customers to avoid seasonal variations by paying equal amounts for most months of the year.

Demand is at record levels, and the Charlotte-based utility says some residential bills this month could be the highest ever.

Duke Energy is operating all of its 45 plants in North Carolina and South Carolina and has activated a rarely used program that interrupts service in short spurts to volunteer businesses in exchange for rebates.