With lawmakers reviewing all options for Santee Cooper customers continue to worry about the possibility of higher rates.
Former Georgetown County Councilman and Pawleys Island resident, David Hood, wrote a letter to South Strand News telling lawmakers to protect customers and sell Santee Cooper if an offer meets all established criteria.
He also reminded readers that with a simple board vote the state-owned utility could increase rates, unlike an investor-owned utility who must seek approval from an independent state regulator first.
Mr. Hood urged for the state to get out of the electric utility business writing, “The time has come to get state government out of the electric utility business by selling Santee Cooper.”
However, Senate President Harvey Peeler made the decision to not rehire the consulting company that was reviewing offers and instead created a new Senate “Select Committee” to review other options. This move means the debt will continue to increase as customers wait for a decision to be made.
Read the full letter here.