RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Duke Energy Progress announced Tuesday it's giving $20 million to needy families across North Carolina to help them weatherize their homes.
That could mean anything from caulking windows to replacing air conditioning units. The group charged with distributing the money says it could save a family $400 a year.
The money will come from a recent rate hike, which some critics say will earn the company big profits - and hit customers hard.
"I understand that, but we can't do everything. This is a significant step for low-income customers. But the reality is we have to build a reliable electric system and over time, being a capital intensive industry, we have to spend money to build a system that keeps the lights on 24/7," said Paul Newton with Duke Energy Progress.
The rate hike case is being reviewed by the NC Supreme Court.
Duke says it will continue to gauge the needs of low-income customers to decide how much money to give away in the future.