Durham Reporter

Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas have taken steps to aid customers, communities and employees in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a news release the Durham Chamber of Commerce published, the companies are waiving certain payment fees and will donate $1.3 million to help fund coronavirus relief efforts.

“This is an unprecedented crisis that requires an unprecedented response,” Lynn Good, chairman, president and CEO of Duke Energy, said in a March 19 statement. “We hope the customers and communities we are privileged to serve — and the outstanding Duke Energy employees who serve them — will take some comfort from these actions.”

Duke Energy is waiving late payment and returned payment fees for its millions of customers for as long as the national state of emergency is in place. The company is also waiving fees for credit and debit card payments.

Good said it is the company’s goal “to continue providing reliable service while helping our most vulnerable customers during this extraordinary time.”