By Javar Juarez
Columbia, S.C.—(CUBNSC) According to the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. (DESC) filed an application with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSC) on March 1st, 2024, to increase its rate by approximately 14.21%. If the Commission approves the application, an average residential customer’s monthly bill (using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month) would increase by approximately $18.86 per month or $240 annually. This would result in some of the highest monthly bills for residents across the state, given Dominion’s monopoly status.
Dominion is seeking to extract $2.3 billion from South Carolinians, with a total requested revenue increase of $291 million, impacting more than 700,000 customers.
During this afternoon's meeting, citizens from the Pee Dee region and across Richland and Lexington Counties voiced their concerns. Although the crowd was light, most testimonies were heard via phone. Ninety-five percent of those who testified expressed similar views on the rate increase and its impact on the community, particularly on vulnerable citizens, including older adults and young families.
Elaine Cooper, a former video editor for SCETV and an environmental justice activist, highlighted concerns about marginalized communities being the most affected by the rate increase. She referenced a Columbia SC heat study, conducted in partnership with the city of Columbia and the University of South Carolina, which showcased that the hottest areas in Columbia often have the lowest tree count and a depleted natural tree canopy. This exacerbates the heat, making it one of the hottest summers on record, with temperatures rising much earlier in the season. Cooper explained how the increasing temperatures directly impact what Dominion Energy charges South Carolinians for energy, especially for vulnerable citizens who require cooler temperatures for health reasons. Watch the full video here
Pamela Greenlaw of West Columbia, testified about the unpopular decision to increase the base rate to fund the BC Summer nuclear plant, which subsequently failed. They have unreasonable demands, such as the repeated high increase in rates that they’re requesting.
As I testified today, many people are unaware that many South Carolinians are paying extraordinary fees for having late balances with Dominion Energy. Dominion is already increasing charges on many low-income customers by adding interest on balances. Additionally, their credit card processing site garners extra money for processing payments to Dominion.
It is imperative for Dominion Energy to demonstrate financial responsibility and innovation. They need to find more efficient ways to operate, streamline processes, and reduce unnecessary expenses. The burden of their financial goals should not be placed on the shoulders of South Carolinians who are already struggling to make ends meet, while their CEO amasses a more than $6 million annual salary.
Let us call for greater accountability and transparency from Dominion Energy. They must innovate and find sustainable solutions without continuously passing the financial burden onto their customers. We deserve an energy provider that prioritizes our needs and works towards a more equitable future."
As we examine the rate increase application and the surrounding politics, we notice red flags that should raise our awareness. This includes a recent resignation from the Public Service Commission itself.
A state Public Service Commission member resigned in protest from the utility oversight board due to concerns that a bill moving through the Legislature could lead to a repeat of the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project in South Carolina seven years ago. Tom Ervin, a former state judge from Greenville, stated in a letter to the Legislature that he was leaving the commission effective March 31. Ervin later told The State that the resignation was effective immediately.
Ervin said the proposal for a large natural gas plant has parallels to a bill approved about 15 years ago, which allowed two energy companies to begin expanding the V.C. Summer nuclear plant in Fairfield County. That bill gave utilities SCE&G and Santee Cooper substantial concessions to begin constructing two nuclear reactors. Santee Cooper and SCE&G, Dominion Energy’s predecessor, abandoned the project amid delays and cost overruns, after spending $9 billion and raising rates for customers.
Now, Santee Cooper and Dominion want to jointly build a large natural gas plant, estimated to cost $1 billion. The bill Ervin is concerned about has been heavily criticized by clean energy advocates and environmentalists for potentially making it harder for the public to challenge new power plants, allowing higher rates, resulting in miles of new pipelines, and curtailing environmental regulations.
Ervin said the bill limits control from the PSC, a panel set up specifically to consider utility expansion and rate increases. The PSC currently hears testimony from utilities and citizens groups about proposed rate increases and the need for more power plants.
Dominion Energy and its stakeholders are playing a dangerous game with our economy, our sensitive natural habitat, and the well-being of South Carolinians. This is an issue we must all pay attention to, as it will have generational impacts.
South Carolina’s Public Service Commission is a quasi-judicial panel composed of seven members, who are largely limited to discussions in commission meetings because they must judge cases. Commissioners earn more than $100,000 annually.
John Tynan, director of the Conservation Voters of South Carolina, said Ervin’s assessment is accurate. The bill gives power companies a “blank check’’ to raise rates and bypass environmental protections that would otherwise be considered.
This has made the Public Service Commission very unpopular, yet few people know it exists. In fact, our investigator observed that the Public Service Commission only had 31 subscribers on its YouTube page, indicating very little information is disseminated to the public.
To learn more about this please visit the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff at: ORS.SC.GOV
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