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Something needs to be done about rising electricity bills and the lack of clear answers from Duke Energy.

I live alone in a one-bedroom apartment with no dishwasher or washer and dryer. I intentionally keep my energy use low — even avoiding heat on cold nights — yet my monthly bill is still around $300. That simply doesn’t add up.

When I check my usage data on the Duke Energy app, it shows my highest energy use occurring between 4 and 5 a.m., when I’m asleep and nothing in my home is running. That raises serious questions about how usage is being measured and billed.

Trying to get answers has only added to the frustration. Customer service calls have been unhelpful, and it’s difficult to get clear explanations about these discrepancies.

I can’t help but wonder how many others are experiencing the same issue. If this is a widespread problem, it deserves closer scrutiny from regulators and consumer protection agencies.

At a time when many people are already struggling with rising costs, utility bills should be transparent, accurate and accountable.