Advocacy

South Carolina state lawmakers are considering a new bill right now – Palmetto Work and Save – HB4258 - that would help small businesses and their employees have a more secure future.

The Public Service Commission has scheduled three night public hearings in regards to the pending SCE&G permanent rate reduction case. The hearings are open to the public and you can sign up to testify. AARP South Carolina staff and volunteers will be on site to greet you and answer any questions you may have.

Recently AARP South Carolina approached Dean Peter Brews, University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business about a feasibility study for a multi-employer retirement plan for South Carolina employees. This idea has worked well in other states where employees did not have access to a retirement plan through their employers. AARP South Carolina wanted to find out if this was a feasible plan for the Palmetto state and, if so, what it would cost based upon the projected participation.

Everyone loves a good ice cream sundae with gooey chocolate sauce, walnuts, whipped cream and a cherry on top. Forget about the calories and sit back and imagine the coolness of this summer time treat.

By Holly Fisher

South Carolinians, take notice. The Base Load Review Act allowed SCE&G to charge us some of the highest electricity rates in the southeast for the construction of V.C. Summer- an abandoned, unfinished nuclear power plant that will never produce power. SCE&G was able to raise our rates 9 times in less than 10 years, including a full year and a half after knowing the doomed fate of the nuclear project. So far, SCE&G parent company SCANA’s shareholders received $529 million of the $2 billion paid by SCE&G customers for V.C. Summer.

South Carolinians go to the polls this month to vote in primary elections for governor, lieutenant governor and other statewide offices. Do you know where the gubernatorial hopefuls stand on issues important to people 50 and older?

The South Carolina Senate could vote at any moment on extremely important bills to protect utility ratepayers like you.

AARP South Carolina supports a full repeal of the Base Load Review Act, which allowed SCE&G to charge customers for the nuclear power plant as it was being constructed. Unfortunately, accountability and transparency went by the wayside with the passage of the BLRA. Click here to tell your state senator to pass House Bill 4375 or call this toll free number 1-844-250-5544 to be connected to your Senator.

The South Carolina House of Representatives has taken an important step toward helping utility ratepayers by approving HB4379, which establishes a Utility Consumer Advocate. The bill received nearly unanimous approval and now goes to the state Senate for consideration.