Statement: No PSC Hearing In Charleston

TERESA ARNOLD, AARP SC STATE DIRECTOR ON DENIED REQUEST BY SC PSC FOR A CHARLESTON HEARING IN SCE&G RATE HIKE

Yesterday, the South Carolina Public Service Commission denied a request from AARP South Carolina to hold a night time hearing in the Charleston area regarding SCE&G’s latest rate hike request. Instead, Commissioners opted for a Tuesday, October 4 public hearing at their Columbia office.

“The PSC basically squashed an opportunity for individuals in the Low Country to voice their opinions at a public hearing in their hometown,” said Teresa Arnold, AARP SC state director. According to its mission statement, the seven member body is charged with “A Fair, Open, and Efficient Regulatory Process That Promotes Cost-Effective and Reliable Utility Services.”

The current rate hike request by SCE&G (2016-223-E) would allow the utility to pass along costs estimated at 852 million to its customers for the construction of two nuclear plants located in Jenkinsville, SC.

“The Public Service Commission has fallen down on it job by rejecting this request to hear from consumers who have suffered with numerous SCE&G rate hike requests,” she said. “The October 4th hearing in Columbia isn’t really a ‘true’ hearing because it omits a large service area and the hearing will be held in a small room that limits access.”