CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The public is getting a chance to comment on Duke Energy's request for what would be its largest rate increase in North Carolina in at least 20 years.

The Charlotte Observer reported (http://bit.ly/ogu7tX) a public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center on Duke's request to raise rates by about 20 percent for most of its residential customers. If the North Carolina Utilities Commission allows the increase, monthly bills for typical residential customers would rise from $95 to about $113, starting in February.

Consumer advocates, small towns and some commercial customers have challenged the increase.

Duke spokesman Jason Walls says that even with the increase, the utility's rates would be below the average in the Southeast.

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Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotteobserver.com