Letter to the Editor

Local Residents Give Their Thoughts On Santee Cooper

South Carolina residents and lawmakers are gearing up for the state’s 2020 legislative session beginning in January and the many hot-button issues that are up for debate this year.

One of the issues at top of mind is that of Santee Cooper.

In January, lawmakers will review recommendations for the state-owned utility, and make a decision on the future of the debt-riddled utility company.

With billions of dollars of debt that customers could be on the hook for, many customers are expressing their concern.

Letters To The Editor

Santee Cooper Bailout? – South Strand News

“Santee Cooper is again proving it’s an unaccountable state agency operating in the shadows. For years, the state-owned utility has promised that South Carolina taxpayers won’t have to bear the burden of the nuclear debt. So much so that one of its “Facts are Facts” blog posts is titled “Taxpayers Are Not Responsible For Our Debt.” To quote the post, “FACT: Our debt will be paid off through our revenues, and not by tax dollars.” Lies. Last month Santee Cooper filed a lawsuit against the SC State Fiscal Accountability Authority and the SC Insurance Reserve Fund in an effort to recover the money it lost in the V.C. Summer nuclear fiasco. Both are state agencies. So that means Santee Cooper is seeking a bailout from the state, plain and simple. Many have suspected that this would happen. Santee Cooper kept denying it. The truth always comes out. Santee Cooper can’t fix itself and will have to depend on taxpayers to dig itself out.”

– Lee Padgett, Georgetown

Letter To The Editor: Santee Cooper – Charleston Chronicle

“Since 2012, Santee Cooper, the state-owned and largest utility, has increased rates by 15% to build the VC Summer nuclear plant that ultimately failed. The immediate impact felt by laid-off workers and the local rural community was horrendous enough but the fall-out will continue for years to come because of the lingering debt of $10 billion. Rates are expected to increase unless major changes take place.

This is a real negative impact on low-income, marginalized communities where regular, everyday folks working 2-3 jobs, lack transportation make real-life decisions about keeping the lights on. Santee Cooper is conducting a getting to “know the CEO” tour of our state with “movers and shakers” but where is the concern for those folks who can’t afford the admission fee for private receptions or closed forums.”

– Marilyn Hemingway, Charleston

Easy Choice On Santee Cooper – South Strand News

“Now is the perfect opportunity for legislators on both sides of the aisle to sell failed utility Santee Cooper and protect ratepayers from skyrocketing rates.”

– Thomas Herron, Myrtle Beach

Santee Cooper Needs To Be Honest With Ratepayers – Summerville Journal Scene

“Santee Cooper is at it again, trying to pull the wool over all of our eyes. The new executives are trying very hard to make you believe they can pay down the $7 billion-plus of debt without raising rates. A few weeks ago they said they’ve got enough money on hand to start paying down the debt. In that same announcement, they said they are also going to freeze rates for the next five years.”

– Claire Robinson, Columbia

Featured

Murrells Inlet Resident Urges Lawmakers To Sell Santee Cooper As South Carolina Regular Session Comes To An End

Last Thursday, May 9, marked the end of this year’s South Carolina regular legislative session and with the end came no resolution for the Santee Cooper debacle.

Just recently, South Carolina lawmakers reached a compromise on Santee Cooper and decided it was time to start seeking purchase and management bids for state-owned Santee Cooper. And shortly after, the House amended and passed the Senate bill sending it to conference.

And, many South Carolina residents and Santee Cooper customers urged lawmakers to keep them in mind when evaluating these offers. Currently, Santee Cooper customers are still paying the V.C. Summer debt, while Dominion’s, former Scana, customers bills have dropped.

With over $7 billion in debt, the state-owned utility is looking to increase rates for the next four decades to help pay back the massive debt. But as one Murrells Inlet resident wrote, there are a few purchase offers out there which would help cover the cost of this debt and take the burden off the millions of direct-serve and cooperative customers who get their power from Santee Cooper.

Preston Edwards, a South Carolina resident, is anxious about looming rate hikes after Santee Cooper’s Chief Financial Officer acknowledged that rates will go up another 15 percent to help cover the cost of the debt. And, may even increase more for years to come.

With the regular session over, lawmakers have agreed to discuss Santee Cooper further during a special three-day session starting May 20.

To read Preston Edwards’ full letter click here.

Featured

Myrtle Beach Resident Asks South Carolina Lawmakers To Sell Santee Cooper And “Drain The Swamp”

Featured Image Source: Post & Courier – Santee Cooper’s Headquarters

Everyday Santee Cooper’s debt increases by over a million dollars and frustrations among South Carolina residents continue to rise.

The South Carolina Senate made a decision last week to not move forward with the consulting firm who was responsible for reviewing and vetting possible bids for Santee Cooper, which could leave Santee Cooper’s customers responsible for paying off the $8 billion debt.

A move that many are not happy about.

One local resident wrote a letter to the Post and Courier pressing conservatives who want to “drain the swamp” in Washington D.C. but fail to recognize the same needs to happen in South Carolina.

Johnnie Bellamy pointed out the debt was the result of bad management and Santee Cooper spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of their customer’s money to pay for lawyers, retreats, and meals.

This is just one of many South Carolina residents pleading for lawmakers to make the right decision and protect Santee Cooper’s 2 million direct-serve and co-op customers.

Read the full letter here.

Featured

Local Resident Shares Thoughts On Santee Cooper, Calling The Sale “Common Sense”

Featured Image Source: WSPA News

A Murrells Inlet resident recently expressed his feelings about the ongoing Santee Cooper issue and the billions of dollars in debt it owes.

As legislators review potential bids and weigh the options, many of Santee Cooper’s direct serve and co-op customers have shared their opinions on what the future should hold for the state-owned utility company.

This particular local wrote to South Strand News revealing his appreciation for the bids and his hope that legislators will stand up for Santee Cooper’s millions of customers and sell.

Read his full letter here.