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Duke Energy contemplating rate hikes for 2019 after major storms

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The three major storms that slammed the Carolinas within the last four months of this year came with a huge cost for Duke Energy.

From Hurricane Florence alone, utility crews repaired nearly 6,000 broken power poles, 220 miles of power lines, and nearly 150 substations in North and South Carolina.

Duke Energy said big storms this year cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars and some of the cost needs to be passed on to its customers.

Watch the video above as Eyewitness News anchor Liz Foster speaks with Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks about what we can expect for energy rates in 2019. 

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