Fight Back Against Santee Cooper's Sneaky Proposed Rate Hike

Posted on 08/22/24

NEW SURPRISE CHARGE COULD BE COMING TO SANTEE COOPER BILLS!

The Issue

Santee Cooper is proposing to add a surprise charge to your utility bill based on your highest one-time use during the month plus an 8.7% increase for residential electric customers. The utility plans to add a third charge based on a one-time look at your highest usage. Trouble is, you won’t know when this is and it will be hard to avoid it.

Known as a demand charge, Santee Cooper will be one of the only utilities in the nation with such an annoying fee. AARP fought similar proposals a long time ago and killed them.

If you don’t want to pay this charge, Santee Cooper will let you move to a mandatory time-of-use rate where your price varies by time of day.

It’s pick your poison and AARP has told Santee Cooper neither proposal is acceptable.

AARP South Carolina opposes this proposal to move all residential customers to this new three-part rate structure. Santee Cooper should allow all residential customers to remain on the current two-part rate plan which allows customers to voluntarily opt into these two new rates if they wish.

Here's AARP's Statement of Opposition Letter-SanteeCooperRate-2024-07-12

Take Action

Santee Cooper will hold several public meetings where you can speak against this rate increase. Let them know how this rate increase would impact you personally and why you don't support it. See dates and times below. You must sign up to speak.

    Public Comment Meetings
    Aug. 26 | 6 p.m.
    Santee Cooper Auditorium
    1 Riverwood Dr., Moncks Corner, SC 29461
    Sign up to speak

    Sept. 17 | 1 p.m.
    Waccamaw Neck Library
    41 St. Paul’s Pl., Pawleys Island, SC 29585
    Sign up to speak

    Sept. 17 | 6 p.m.
    Santee Cooper Auditorium HG
    305A Gardner Lacy Rd., Myrtle Beach, SC
    29579
    Sign up to speak

    Sept. 24 | 9 a.m.
    VIRTUAL
    Register here.

    Oct. 8* | 2 p.m.
    Santee Cooper Auditorium
    305A Gardner Lacy Rd.
    Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
    Sign up to speak

    This story is provided by AARP South Carolina. Visit the AARP South Carolina page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.

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