The NCUC, PSCSC, FPSC, IURC, PUCO, TPUC and KPSC approve rates for retail electric and natural gas services within their states. The FERC approves rates for electric sales to wholesale customers served under cost-based rates (excluding Ohio and Indiana), as well as sales of transmission service. The FERC also regulates certification and siting of new interstate natural gas pipeline projects. For open regulatory matters, unless otherwise noted, the Subsidiary Registrants and Duke Energy Kentucky cannot predict the outcome or ultimate resolution of their respective matters.

As discussed further below, the Subsidiary Registrants were impacted by significant storms in 2024. Each Subsidiary Registrant is responsible for the restoration of service within its respective service territory and the recovery of related storm costs, including financing costs and, as applicable, the replenishment of storm-related reserves. The Subsidiary Registrants are considering all available avenues to recover storm-related costs, including insurance recovery and the securitization for certain costs, where applicable. Total storm restoration costs across the Subsidiary Registrants, including capital expenditures, for hurricanes Helene, Debby and Milton are estimated to be in the range of $2.4 billion to $2.9 billion and are expected to primarily impact the following registrants:

In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm and subsequently impacted all of Duke Energy's service territories as the storm moved inland, with the most severe damage occurring in the Duke Energy Florida territory and the Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress territories in North Carolina and South Carolina. Approximately 3.5 million customers were impacted across Duke Energy's system. As of September 30, 2024, Duke Energy's restoration costs incurred, including capital of $112 million, were approximately $582 million (primarily $261 million, $51 million and $251 million for Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Florida, respectively). Approximately $451 million of the operation and maintenance expenses are deferred in regulatory assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 (primarily $177 million, $34 million and $236 million for Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Florida, respectively). Total storm restoration costs, including capital expenditures, for Duke Energy are currently estimated to be in the range of $1.5 billion to $1.9 billion (primarily $900 million to $1.1 billion for Duke Energy Carolinas, $300 million to $400 million for Duke Energy Progress and $300 million to $400 million for Duke Energy Florida). These estimates do not include amounts for rebuilding certain damaged infrastructure, as estimates of such costs are not yet available, and will change as restoration work is completed and additional information is received on actual costs incurred.

In August 2024, Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 storm, impacting primarily the Duke Energy Florida territory as well as the Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress territories in North Carolina and South Carolina. Approximately 700,000 customers were impacted across Duke Energy's system. As of September 30, 2024, Duke Energy's restoration costs incurred, including capital expenditures of $11 million, were approximately $150 million (primarily $45 million, $45 million and $60 million for Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Florida, respectively). Approximately $90 million of the operation and maintenance expenses are deferred in regulatory assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 (primarily $23 million, $13 million and $54 million for Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Florida, respectively). These estimates could change as additional information is received on actual costs incurred.

On June 7, 2021, Duke Energy Carolinas filed a subsequent license renewal (SLR) application for the Oconee Nuclear Station (ONS) with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to renew ONS’s operating license for an additional 20 years. The SLR would extend operations of the facility from 60 to 80 years. The current licenses for units 1 and 2 expire in 2033 and the license for unit 3 expires in 2034. By a Federal Register Notice dated July 28, 2021, the NRC provided a 60-day comment period for persons whose interest may be affected by the issuance of a subsequent renewed license for ONS to file a request for a hearing and a petition for leave to intervene. On September 27, 2021, Beyond Nuclear and Sierra Club (Petitioners) filed a Hearing Request and Petition to Intervene (Hearing Request) and a Petition for Waiver. The Hearing Request proposed three contentions and claimed that Duke Energy Carolinas did not satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, or the NRC’s NEPA-implementing regulations. Following Duke Energy Carolinas' answer and the Petitioners' reply, on February 11, 2022, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) issued its decision on the Hearing Request and found that the Petitioners failed to establish that the proposed contentions are litigable. The ASLB also denied the Petitioners' Petition for Waiver and terminated the Hearing Request proceeding.

On February 24, 2022, the NRC issued a decision in the SLR appeal related to Florida Power and Light's Turkey Point nuclear generating station in Florida. The NRC ruled that the NRC’s license renewal Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) does not apply to SLR because the GEIS does not address SLR. The decision overturned a 2020 NRC decision that found the GEIS applies to SLR. Although Turkey Point is not owned or operated by a Duke Energy Registrant, the NRC’s order applies to all SLR applicants, including ONS. The NRC order also indicated no subsequent renewed licenses will be issued until the NRC staff has completed an adequate NEPA review for each application. On April 5, 2022, the NRC approved a 24-month rulemaking plan that will enable the NRC staff to complete an adequate NEPA review. Although an SLR applicant may wait until the rulemaking is completed, the NRC also noted that an applicant may submit a supplement to its environmental report providing information on environmental impacts during the SLR period prior to the rulemaking being completed. On November 7, 2022, Duke Energy Carolinas submitted a supplement to its environmental report addressing environmental impacts during the SLR period. On March 6, 2024, the NRC staff submitted the rulemaking, which included the updated GEIS, to the NRC. The NRC approved the publication of the final rule on May 16, 2024. The updated GEIS was finalized and published on August 1, 2024, and the final rule was issued on August 6, 2024.

On December 19, 2022, the NRC published a notice in the Federal Register that the NRC will conduct a limited scoping process to gather additional information necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmental impacts at ONS during the SLR period. The NRC received comments from the EPA and the Petitioners and these comments identify 18 potential impacts that should be considered by the NRC in the EIS, which include, but are not limited to, climate change and flooding, environmental justice, severe accidents and external events. On February 8, 2024, the NRC issued the Oconee site-specific draft EIS. The NRC and EPA published the notice for the public to submit comments on the ONS site-specific draft EIS. On April 29, 2024, the Petitioners filed a Hearing Request. The request proposed three contentions and claimed that the ONS site-specific draft EIS is inadequate to satisfy the requirements of NEPA and the NRC’s NEPA-implementing regulations. Duke Energy Carolinas provided responses to the proposed contentions by May 31, 2024, as ordered by the ASLB. On June 24, 2024, the ASLB convened a pre-hearing conference to obtain information and ask questions concerning the admissibility of the Petitioners' contentions. On August 29, 2024, the ASLB issued a protective order to protect Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information (SUNSI) that is identified as Critical Energy/Electrical Infrastructure Information. On October 18, 2024, the ASLB indicated that it plans to issue a decision on contention admissibility by December 18, 2024. The NRC's issuance of the final EIS is pending the ASLB's decision.

On December 19, 2022, the NRC issued the Safety Evaluation Report (SER) for the safety portion of the SLR application. The NRC determined Duke Energy Carolinas met the requirements of the applicable regulations and identified actions that have been taken or will be taken to manage the effects of aging and address time-limited analyses. Duke Energy Carolinas and the NRC met with the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) on February 2, 2023, to discuss issues regarding the SER and SLR application. On February 25, 2023, the ACRS issued a report to the NRC on the safety aspects of the ONS SLR application, which concluded that the established programs and commitments made by Duke Energy Carolinas to manage age-related degradation provide confidence that ONS can be operated in accordance with its current licensing basis for the subsequent period of extended operation without undue risk to the health and safety of the public and the SLR application for ONS should be approved.

On January 19, 2023, Duke Energy Carolinas filed a performance-based regulation (PBR) application with the NCUC to request an increase in base rate retail revenues. The PBR application included a multiyear rate plan (MYRP) to recover projected capital investments during the three-year MYRP period. In addition to the MYRP, the PBR application included an Earnings Sharing Mechanism, Residential Decoupling Mechanism and Performance Incentive Mechanisms (PIMS) as required by HB 951. The application as originally filed requested an overall retail revenue increase of $501 million in Year 1, $172 million in Year 2 and $150 million in Year 3, for a combined total of $823 million, or 15.7%, by early 2026. The rate increase is driven primarily by transmission and distribution investments since the last rate case and projected in the MYRP, as well as investments in energy storage and solar assets included in the MYRP consistent with the Carolinas Carbon Plan (Carbon Plan).

On August 22, 2023, Duke Energy Carolinas filed with the NCUC a partial settlement with the Public Staff in connection with its PBR application. The partial settlement included, among other things, agreement on a substantial portion of the North Carolina retail rate base for the historic base case of approximately $19.5 billion and all of the capital projects and related costs to be included in the three-year MYRP, including $4.6 billion (North Carolina retail allocation) projected to go in service over the MYRP period. Additionally, the partial settlement included agreement, with certain adjustments, on depreciation rates, the recovery of grid improvement plan costs and PIMs, Tracking Metrics and the Residential Decoupling Mechanism under the PBR application. On August 28, 2023, Duke Energy Carolinas filed with the NCUC a second partial settlement with the Public Staff resolving additional issues, including the future treatment of nuclear production tax credits related to the Inflation Reduction Act, through a stand-alone rider that will provide the benefits to customers beginning January 1, 2025. As a result of the partial settlements, Duke Energy Carolinas recognized pretax charges of $59 million within Impairment of assets and other charges, which primarily related to certain COVID-19 deferred costs, and $8 million within Operations, maintenance and other, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

On December 15, 2023, the NCUC issued an order approving Duke Energy Carolinas' PBR application, as modified by the partial settlements and the order, including an overall retail revenue increase of $436 million in Year 1, $174 million in Year 2 and $158 million in Year 3, for a combined total of $768 million. The order established an ROE of 10.1% based upon an equity ratio of 53% and approved, with certain adjustments, depreciation rates and the recovery of grid improvement plan costs and certain deferred COVID-related costs. Additionally, the Residential Decoupling Mechanism and PIMs were approved as requested under the PBR application and revised by the partial settlements. Duke Energy Carolinas implemented interim rates, subject to refund, on September 1, 2023. New revised Year 1 rates and the residential decoupling were implemented on January 15, 2024.

On February 13, 2024, a number of parties filed Notices of Appeal of the December 15, 2023, NCUC order. Notices of Appeal were filed by the Carolina Industrial Group for Fair Utility Rates (CIGFUR) III, a collection of various electric membership corporations (collectively, the EMCs), and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office (the AGO). CIGFUR III and the EMCs appealed the interclass subsidy reduction percentage and the Transmission Cost Allocation stipulation. In addition, CIGFUR III appealed the NCUC’s elimination of the equal percentage fuel cost allocation methodology. The AGO appealed several issues including the authorized ROE and certain rate design and accounting matters. On March 1, 2024, Carolina Utility Customers Association, Inc. appealed several issues, including the authorized ROE and certain rate design and accounting matters. In July 2024, the Supreme Court of North Carolina consolidated the appeal with the parallel appeal of the NCUC's order regarding the Duke Energy Progress PBR application. The briefing is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2024. Duke Energy Carolinas anticipates a decision to be issued by the third quarter of 2025.

On January 4, 2024, Duke Energy Carolinas filed a rate case with the PSCSC to request an increase in base rate retail revenues. On May 17, 2024, Duke Energy Carolinas and the Office of Regulatory Staff, as well as other consumer, environmental, and industrial intervening parties, filed an Agreement and Stipulation of Settlement resolving all issues in the base rate proceeding. The major components of the settlement include a $240 million annual customer rate increase, prior to a reduction from the accelerated return to customers of federal unprotected Property, Plant and Equipment related EDIT of $84 million annually over the first two years. The stipulation includes an ROE of 9.94% with an equity ratio of 51.21% and resolves recovery of the Company's continued investments in the grid, its new corporate headquarters and environmental compliance costs. The PSCSC held a hearing on May 20, 2024, to consider evidence supporting the stipulation. On July 3, 2024, the PSCSC issued its final order approving an increase in base rates and approving nearly all components of the Agreement and Stipulation of Settlement. The order revised recovery of certain environmental compliance costs, the only provision of the settlement agreement not fully approved by the PSCSC. As a result, Duke Energy Carolinas recognized pretax charges of $33 million within Impairment of assets and other charges, $2 million within Operations, maintenance and other, partially offset by an $11 million reduction in Interest expense, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Based upon the order, after accelerating the EDIT giveback to customers, the net rate increase is $150 million annually for the first two years. Revised customer rates were effective August 1, 2024, and are based upon a South Carolina retail rate base of $7.4 billion.

On March 14, 2024, Duke Energy Carolinas filed with the NCUC an application to construct and operate two hydrogen-capable advanced-class simple-cycle combustion turbines (CTs) at the site of the existing Marshall Steam Station. The two new CTs – totaling approximately 850 MW – will enable the retirement of Marshall coal units 1 and 2 and provide incremental capacity to support system capacity needs and expanded flexibility to support integration of renewables. Pending regulatory approvals, construction is planned to start in 2026, and the CTs are targeted to be placed into service by the end of 2028. As part of the application, Duke Energy Carolinas noted that Construction Work in Progress for the proposed facility will accrue AFUDC and will not be in rate base, resulting in no impact on Duke Energy Carolinas' North Carolina retail revenue requirement during the construction period. The 2029 North Carolina retail revenue requirement for the proposed facility is estimated to be $104 million, representing an approximate average retail rate increase of 2.2% across all classes. The expert witness hearing concluded on August 6, 2024. An order is expected no later than December 31, 2024, in parallel with the NCUC’s order in the Carolinas Resource Plan proceeding.

On October 6, 2022, Duke Energy Progress filed a PBR application with the NCUC to request an increase in base rate retail revenues. The rate request before the NCUC included an MYRP to recover projected capital investments during the three-year MYRP period. In addition to the MYRP, the PBR application included an Earnings Sharing Mechanism, Residential Decoupling Mechanism and PIMs as required by HB 951. The overall retail revenue increase as originally filed would have been $326 million in Year 1, $151 million in Year 2 and $138 million in Year 3, for a combined total of $615 million, by late 2025. The rate increase is driven primarily by transmission and distribution investments since the last rate case and projected in the MYRP, as well as investments in energy storage and solar assets included in the MYRP consistent with the Carbon Plan.

On August 18, 2023, the NCUC issued an order approving Duke Energy Progress' PBR application, as modified by the partial settlements and the order, including an overall retail revenue increase of $233 million in Year 1, $126 million in Year 2 and $135 million in Year 3, for a combined total of $494 million. Key aspects of the order include the approval of North Carolina retail rate base for the historic base case of approximately $12.2 billion and capital projects and related costs to be included in the three-year MYRP, including $3.5 billion (North Carolina retail allocation) projected to go in service over the MYRP period. The order established an ROE of 9.8% based upon an equity ratio of 53% and approved, with certain adjustments, depreciation rates and the recovery of grid improvement plan costs and certain deferred COVID-related costs. Additionally, the Residential Decoupling Mechanism and PIMs were approved as requested under the PBR application and revised by the partial settlements. As a result of the order, Duke Energy Progress recognized pretax charges of $28 million within Impairment of assets and other charges, which primarily related to certain COVID-19 deferred costs, and $8 million within Operations, maintenance and other, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Duke Energy Progress implemented interim rates, subject to refund, on June 1, 2023, and implemented revised Year 1 rates and the residential decoupling on October 1, 2023.

On October 17, 2023, CIGFUR II and Haywood Electric Membership Corporation each filed a Notice of Appeal of the August 18, 2023 NCUC order. Both parties are appealing certain matters that do not impact the overall revenue requirement in the rate case. Specifically, they appealed the interclass subsidy reduction percentage, and CIGFUR II also appealed the Customer Assistance Program and the equal percentage fuel cost allocation methodology. On November 6, 2023, the AGO filed a Notice of Cross Appeal of the NCUC's determination regarding the exclusion of electric vehicle revenue from the residential decoupling mechanism. On November 9, 2023, Duke Energy Progress, the Public Staff, CIGFUR II, and a number of other parties reached a settlement pursuant to which CIGFUR II agreed not to pursue its appeal of the Customer Assistance Program. In July 2024, the Supreme Court of North Carolina consolidated the appeal with the parallel appeal of the NCUC's order regarding the Duke Energy Carolinas PBR application. The briefing is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2024. Duke Energy Progress anticipates a decision to be issued by the third quarter of 2025.

On May 31, 2023, Duke Energy Progress filed a petition with the PSCSC requesting authorization for the financing of Duke Energy Progress' storm recovery costs through securitization due to storm recovery activities required as a result of the following storms: Pax, Ulysses, Matthew, Florence, Michael, Dorian, Izzy and Jasper. On September 8, 2023, Duke Energy Progress filed a comprehensive settlement agreement with all parties on all cost recovery issues raised in the storm securitization proceeding.

On March 28, 2024, Duke Energy Progress filed with the NCUC its application to construct and operate a 1,360-MW hydrogen-capable, advanced-class combined-cycle generating facility (CC) in Person County at the site of the existing Roxboro Plant. Subject to negotiation of final contractual terms, the new Roxboro CC will be co-owned with the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), with Duke Energy Progress owning approximately 1,135 MW and NCEMC owning the remaining 225 MW. Pending regulatory approvals, construction is planned to start in 2026, with the CC targeted to be placed in service by the end of 2028. The CC will allow for the retirement of Roxboro’s coal-fired units 1 and 4. As part of the application, Duke Energy Progress noted that the recovery of Construction Work in Progress during the construction period for the proposed facility may be pursued in a future rate case. The 2029 North Carolina retail revenue requirement for the proposed facility is estimated to be $98 million, representing an approximate average retail rate increase of 2.6% across all classes. The expert witness hearing concluded on August 8, 2024. An order is expected no later than December 31, 2024, in parallel with the NCUC’s order in the Carolinas Resource Plan proceeding.

Pursuant to the 2021 Settlement, the Parties agreed to a base rate stay-out provision that expires year-end 2024; however, Duke Energy Florida is allowed an increase to its base rates of an incremental $67 million in 2022, $49 million in 2023 and $79 million in 2024, subject to adjustment in the event of tax reform during the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Parties also agreed to an ROE band of 8.85% to 10.85% with a midpoint of 9.85% based upon an equity ratio of 53%. The ROE band can be increased by 25 basis points if the average 30-year U.S. Treasury rate increases 50 basis points or more over a six-month period in which case the midpoint ROE would rise from 9.85% to 10.10%. On July 25, 2022, this provision was triggered. Duke Energy Florida filed a petition with the FPSC on August 12, 2022, to increase the ROE effective August 2022 with a base rate increase effective January 1, 2023. The FPSC approved this request on October 4, 2022. The 2021 Settlement Agreement also provided that Duke Energy Florida will be able to retain $173 million of the expected Department of Energy (DOE) award from its lawsuit to recover spent nuclear fuel to mitigate customer rates over the term of the 2021 Settlement. In return, Duke Energy Florida is permitted to recognize the $173 million into earnings through the approved settlement period. Duke Energy Florida settled the DOE lawsuit and received payment of approximately $180 million on June 15, 2022, of which the retail portion was approximately $154 million. The 2021 Settlement authorizes Duke Energy Florida to collect the difference between $173 million and the $154 million retail portion of the amount received through the capacity cost recovery clause. As of September 30, 2024, Duke Energy Florida has recognized $165 million (pretax) into earnings, including $8 million and $31 million recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively, and $24 million and $94 million recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The remaining $8 million is expected to be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The 2021 Settlement also contained a provision to recover or flow back the effects of tax law changes. As a result of the IRA enacted on August 16, 2022, Duke Energy Florida is eligible for PTCs associated with solar facilities placed in service beginning in January 2022. Duke Energy Florida filed a petition with the FPSC on October 17, 2022, to reduce base rates effective January 1, 2023, by $56 million to flow back the expected 2023 PTCs and to flow back the expected 2022 PTCs via an adjustment to the capacity cost recovery clause. On December 14, 2022, the FPSC issued an order approving Duke Energy Florida's petition.

In addition to these terms, the 2021 Settlement contained provisions related to the accelerated depreciation of Crystal River Units 4-5, the approval of approximately $1 billion in future investments in new cost-effective solar power, the implementation of a new Electric Vehicle Charging Station Program and the deferral and recovery of costs in connection with the implementation of Duke Energy Florida’s Vision Florida program, which explores various emerging non-carbon emitting generation technology, distributed technologies and resiliency projects, among other things. The 2021 Settlement also resolved remaining unrecovered storm costs for Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Dorian.

On July 1, 2020, Duke Energy Florida petitioned the FPSC for approval of a voluntary solar program consisting of 10 new solar generating facilities with combined capacity of approximately 750 MW. The program allows participants to support cost-effective solar development in Florida by paying a subscription fee based on per kilowatt subscriptions and receiving a credit on their bill based on the actual generation associated with their portion of the solar portfolio. The estimated cost of the 10 new solar generation facilities is approximately $1 billion and the projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. This investment is included in base rates offset by the revenue from the subscription fees and the credits will be included for recovery in the fuel cost recovery clause. The FPSC approved the program in January 2021.

On February 24, 2021, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) filed a notice of appeal of the FPSC’s order approving the Clean Energy Connection to the Supreme Court of Florida. The Supreme Court of Florida heard oral arguments in the appeal on February 9, 2022. On May 27, 2022, the Supreme Court of Florida issued an order remanding the case back to the FPSC so that the FPSC can amend its order to better address some of the arguments raised by LULAC. On September 23, 2022, the FPSC issued a revised order and submitted it on September 26, 2022, to the Supreme Court of Florida. The Supreme Court of Florida requested that the parties file supplemental briefs regarding the revised order, which were filed February 6, 2023. LULAC has filed a request for Oral Argument on the issues discussed in the supplemental briefs, but the court has yet to rule on that request. The FPSC approval order remains in effect pending the outcome of the appeal.

On April 11, 2022, Duke Energy Florida filed a Storm Protection Plan for approval with the FPSC. The plan, which covers investments for the 2023-2032 time frame, reflects approximately $7 billion of capital investment in transmission and distribution meant to strengthen its infrastructure, reduce outage times associated with extreme weather events, reduce restoration costs and improve overall service reliability. The evidentiary hearing began on August 2, 2022. On October 4, 2022, the FPSC voted to approve Duke Energy Florida’s plan with one modification to remove the transmission loop radially fed program, representing a reduction of approximately $80 million over the 10-year period starting in 2025. On December 9, 2022, the OPC filed a notice of appeal of this order to the Florida Supreme Court. The OPC's initial brief was filed on April 18, 2023. Duke Energy Florida filed its answer brief on July 17, 2023. The OPC's reply brief was filed on October 16, 2023. The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments on February 7, 2024 and the parties await the court's decision.

On September 28, 2022, much of Duke Energy Florida’s service territory was impacted by Hurricane Ian, which caused significant damage resulting in more than 1.1 million outages. After depleting any existing storm reserves, which were approximately $107 million before Hurricane Ian, Duke Energy Florida is permitted to petition the FPSC for recovery of additional incremental operation and maintenance costs resulting from the storm and to replenish the retail customer storm reserve to approximately $132 million. Duke Energy Florida filed its petition for cost recovery of various storms, including Hurricane Ian, and replenishment of the storm reserve on January 23, 2023, seeking recovery of $442 million, for recovery over 12 months beginning with the first billing cycle in April 2023. On March 7, 2023, the FPSC approved this request for interim recovery, subject to refund, and ordered Duke Energy Florida to file documentation of the total actual storm costs, once known. Duke Energy Florida filed documentation evidencing its total actual storm costs of $431 million on September 29, 2023. The FPSC approved the prudence of these costs at a final hearing on May 21, 2024.

On August 30, 2023, Hurricane Idalia made landfall on Florida’s gulf coast, causing damage and impacting more than 200,000 customers across Duke Energy Florida's service territory. On October 16, 2023, Duke Energy Florida requested to combine the $92 million retail portion of the deferred estimated Hurricane Idalia costs with $74 million of costs projected to be collected after December 31, 2023, under the existing approved storm cost recovery and storm surcharge. This $74 million of costs relates primarily to the approved ongoing replenishment of the storm reserves. At its December 5, 2023 Agenda Conference, the FPSC approved recovery of the total $166 million over 12 months beginning with its first billing cycle in January 2024, replacing the previously approved storm cost recovery and storm surcharge, and ordered Duke Energy Florida to file documentation of the total actual Idalia-related storm costs, once known. Revised rates were effective January 1, 2024. Duke Energy Florida filed documentation evidencing its total Idalia actual storm costs of $98 million on September 23, 2024.

On April 2, 2024, Duke Energy Florida filed a formal request for new base rates with the FPSC. Duke Energy Florida proposed a three-year rate plan that would begin in January 2025, once its current base rate settlement agreement concludes at the end of 2024. Duke Energy Florida proposed multiyear rate increases that use the projected 12-month periods ending December 31, 2025, 2026, and 2027 as the test years, with adjusted rates to be effective with the first billing period of January 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively.

On July 15, 2024, Duke Energy Florida filed a settlement agreement with the FPSC. The parties to the settlement include Duke Energy Florida, the Office of Public Counsel and other intervening parties. Pursuant to the settlement, the parties agreed to a base rate stay-out provision that expires year-end 2027; however, Duke Energy Florida is allowed an increase to its base rates in 2025 and 2026, as well as utilization of certain tax benefits in lieu of a revenue increase in 2027. Additionally, revenue increases related to solar investments will be recovered via the Solar Base Rate Adjustment mechanism. The parties also agreed to an ROE band of 9.3% to 11.3% with a midpoint of 10.3% with an equity ratio of 53%. The agreement provides for $203 million and $59 million in base rate increases in 2025 and 2026, respectively, as well as increases associated with investments in 12 new solar facilities as they come online, estimated at $12 million, $71 million and $58 million in 2025, 2026 and 2027, respectively. On August 21, 2024, the FPSC approved the settlement agreement without modification.

In October 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm, impacting more than 1 million customers in the Duke Energy Florida territory. Total storm restoration costs, including capital expenditures, for Duke Energy Florida are currently estimated to be in the range of $700 million to $850 million. These estimates do not include amounts for rebuilding certain damaged infrastructure, as estimates of such costs are not yet available, and will change as restoration work is completed and additional information is received on actual costs incurred.

Duke Energy Ohio filed with the PUCO an electric distribution base rate case application on October 1, 2021, with supporting testimony filed on October 15, 2021, requesting an increase in electric distribution base rates of approximately $55 million. On September 19, 2022, Duke Energy Ohio filed a Stipulation and Recommendation with the PUCO, which includes an increase in overall electric distribution base rates of approximately $23 million with an equity ratio of 50.5% and an ROE of 9.5%. The stipulation is among all but one party to the proceeding. The PUCO issued an order on December 14, 2022, approving the Stipulation without material modification. Rates went into effect on January 3, 2023. The Ohio Consumers' Counsel filed an application for rehearing on January 13, 2023, arguing the Stipulation was unreasonable, discriminatory, and denied OCC due process. On March 20, 2024, the PUCO issued its Second Entry on Rehearing, denying OCC's rehearing application. The deadline for OCC to seek an appeal has expired and the matter is now closed.

Duke Energy Ohio filed with the PUCO a natural gas base rate case application on June 30, 2022, with supporting testimony filed on July 14, 2022, requesting an increase in natural gas base rates of approximately $49 million. The drivers for this case are capital invested since Duke Energy Ohio's last natural gas base rate case in 2012. Duke Energy Ohio also sought to adjust the caps on its CEP rider. On April 28, 2023, Duke Energy Ohio filed a stipulation with all parties to the case except the OCC. In the stipulation, the parties agreed to approximately $32 million in revenue increases with an equity ratio of 52.32% and an ROE of 9.6%, and adjustments to the CEP Rider caps. The stipulation was opposed by the OCC at an evidentiary hearing that concluded on May 24, 2023. On November 1, 2023, PUCO issued an order approving the stipulation as filed. New rates went into effect November 1, 2023. On December 1, 2023, the OCC filed an application for rehearing. On December 13, 2023, the PUCO granted OCC's application for rehearing for further consideration of issues raised. As a result of a Supreme Court of Ohio decision regarding procedural issues related to applications for rehearing, PUCO denied OCC’s rehearing request. On October 25, 2024, the OCC filed its Notice of Appeal with the Ohio Supreme Court.

On April 1, 2024, Duke Energy Ohio filed with the PUCO a request for an Electric Security Plan (ESP). The ESP application proposes a three-year term from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2028, and includes continuation of market-based customer rates through competitive procurement processes for generation and continuation and expansion of existing rider mechanisms. Duke Energy Ohio is proposing a new rider mechanism relating to electric distribution infrastructure modernization programs, which may be enabled by and partially funded through federal or state funding opportunities, future battery storage projects, and two proposed electric vehicle programs. Additional proposed new rider mechanisms are related to solar for all investments for low-income and disadvantaged communities, low-income senior citizen bill assistance, and energy efficiency and demand-side management programs. At the request of Duke Energy Ohio, PUCO suspended the evidentiary hearing scheduled for November 13, 2024, in light of ongoing settlement discussions.

On December 1, 2022, Duke Energy Kentucky filed a rate case with the KPSC requesting an annualized increase in electric base rates of approximately $75 million. The request for rate increase was driven by capital investments to strengthen the electricity generation and delivery systems along with adjusted depreciation rates for the East Bend and Woodsdale Combustion Turbine (CT) generation stations. Duke Energy Kentucky also requested approval for new programs and tariff updates, including a voluntary community-based renewable subscription program and two electric vehicle charging programs. The KPSC issued an order on October 12, 2023, including a $48 million increase in base revenues, an ROE of 9.75% for electric base rates and 9.65% for electric riders and an equity ratio of 52.145%. New rates went into effect October 13, 2023. The Company's request to align the depreciation rates of East Bend with a 2035 retirement date was denied and the KPSC ordered depreciation rates with a 2041 retirement date for the unit. The KPSC did approve the request to align the depreciation rates of Woodsdale CT with a 2040 retirement date and denied the voluntary community-based renewable subscription program and the two electric vehicle charging programs.

On November 1, 2023, Duke Energy Kentucky filed for rehearing requesting certain matters be reconsidered by the KPSC. On November 21, 2023, KPSC granted in part and denied in part the Company's request for rehearing. On February 15, 2024, the KPSC issued a briefing schedule for the rehearing process. The briefing concluded on April 1, 2024, and the matter was submitted for decision on April 2, 2024. On July 1, 2024, the KPSC issued its final order on rehearing, ruling in Duke Energy Kentucky's favor on nearly all issues. However, the KPSC ordered Duke Energy Kentucky to refund alleged over collections since the KPSC's October 12, 2023, order. On July 10, 2024, the KPSC issued an order correcting the base fuel rate used to calculate new base rates in its July 1, 2024, order and its calculation of Duke Energy Kentucky's Street Lighting Rate. New rates were implemented in August 2024.

On December 14, 2023, Duke Energy Kentucky filed an appeal with the Franklin County Circuit Court on certain matters for which the KPSC denied rehearing, specifically as it relates to including decommissioning costs in depreciation rates for East Bend and Woodsdale. Duke Energy Kentucky filed its initial brief in June 2024. Appellee briefs were filed September 24, 2024, and Duke Energy Kentucky's reply brief is due November 8, 2024.

In Duke Energy Indiana’s 2019 rate case, the IURC opened a subdocket for post-2018 coal ash related expenditures. Duke Energy Indiana filed testimony on April 15, 2020, in the coal ash subdocket requesting recovery for the post-2018 coal ash basin closure costs for plans that have been approved by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) as well as continuing deferral, with carrying costs, on the balance. On November 3, 2021, the IURC issued an order allowing recovery for post-2018 coal ash basin closure costs for the plans that have been approved by IDEM, as well as continuing deferral, with carrying costs, on the balance. The OUCC and the Duke Industrial Group appealed. The Indiana Court of Appeals issued its opinion on February 21, 2023, reversing the IURC's order to the extent that it allowed Duke Energy Indiana to recover federally mandated costs incurred prior to the IURC's November 3, 2021 order. In addition, the court found that any costs incurred pre-petition to determine federally mandated compliance options were not specifically authorized by the statute and should also be disallowed.

In the second quarter of 2023, Duke Energy Indiana filed its proposal to remove from rates certain costs incurred prior to the IURC's November 3, 2021 order date. On September 20, 2023, the IURC approved the Company's proposal to remove the costs from its rates and assessed simple interest of the refunds of 4.71%, beginning from when the costs were initially recovered from customers. Duke Energy Indiana seeks to recover the pre-order costs denied by the Indiana Court of Appeals and certain future coal ash closure costs as part of depreciation costs in the 2024 Indiana Rate Case.

Duke Energy Indiana filed a new petition under the amended version of the federal mandate statute for additional post-2018 coal ash closure costs for the remaining basins not included in the Indiana coal ash recovery case from 2020. An evidentiary hearing was held on January 25, 2024. On May 8, 2024, the IURC issued a CPCN and approved these coal ash related compliance projects as federally mandated compliance projects. On June 7, 2024, the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana (CAC) filed a motion to appeal the IURC order granting the coal ash CPCN proceeding and approving the coal ash related compliance projects. CAC filed its appellant's brief on October 4, 2024. Appellees' briefs are due December 9, 2024.

On November 23, 2021, Duke Energy Indiana filed for approval of the Transmission, Distribution, Storage Improvement Charge 2.0 investment plan for 2023-2028 (TDSIC 2.0). On June 15, 2022, the IURC approved, without modification, TDSIC 2.0, which includes approximately $2 billion in transmission and distribution investments selected to improve customer reliability, harden and improve resiliency of the grid, enable expansion of renewable and distributed energy projects and encourage economic development. In addition, the IURC set up a subdocket to consider a targeted economic development project, which the IURC approved on March 2, 2022. On July 15, 2022, the OUCC filed a notice of appeal to the Indiana Court of Appeals in Duke Energy Indiana’s TDSIC 2.0 proceeding. An appellant brief was filed on October 28, 2022, and Duke Energy Indiana filed its responsive brief on December 28, 2022. The Indiana Court of Appeals issued its opinion on March 9, 2023, affirming the IURC’s order in its entirety. The Duke Industrial Group filed a petition to transfer to the Indiana Supreme Court. The Indiana Supreme Court granted transfer and held an oral argument on September 28, 2023, and the parties await the court's decision.

On April 4, 2024, Duke Energy Indiana filed an application with the IURC for a rate increase of $492 million, representing an overall average bill increase of approximately 16.2%, which, if approved, would be added to retail customer bills in two steps, approximately 11.7% in 2025 and approximately 4.5% in 2026. Duke Energy Indiana requested an ROE of 10.5% with an equity ratio of 53%. The rate increase is driven by $1.6 billion in investments made since the last general rate case filed in 2019 in order to reliably serve customers, improve resiliency of the system, and advance environmental sustainability. An evidentiary hearing was completed on September 5, 2024, with briefing continuing until October 31, 2024. An order is anticipated by January 2025 with new rates effective in March 2025.

On April 1, 2024, Piedmont filed an application with the NCUC for a rate increase for retail customers. On September 13, 2024, Piedmont, the Public Staff and other intervening parties filed an Agreement and Stipulation of Settlement with the NCUC resolving all issues in the general rate case. The major components of the settlement include an overall average effective increase in net annual retail revenues of $88 million in the first year and $10 million of additional revenue after the first year. The settlement includes an ROE of 9.8% with an equity ratio of 52.3% and the addition of a rider mechanism for recovery of all pipeline integrity management operations and maintenance expenses. The settlement is subject to the review and approval of the NCUC. The evidentiary hearing concluded on September 18, 2024, and Piedmont implemented revised interim rates, subject to refund, November 1, 2024. An order is anticipated by January 2025.