New coalition rallies against proposed rate hike by SCE&G

COLUMBIA — Leaders from small business, environmental and community groups joined forces Monday to challenge South Carolina Electric & Gas’ largest rate increase proposal in years.

The Coalition to Stop the Blank Check said the utility’s 3.06 percent rate increase plan is detrimental for low-income customers and small businesses. The increase would cover ballooning costs at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station near Jenkinsville, north of Columbia.

Frank Knapp Jr., president and CEO of the S.C. Small Business Chamber of Commerce, said the state needs to stop letting SCE&G’s pass along the costs to customers.

“Right now there’s a blank check that the company holds and they are exercising that blank check by raising costs dramatically and delaying the plant’s construction,” Knapp said during a Statehouse news conference Monday.

Read more: http://www.postandcourier.com/20160718/160719429/new-coalition-rallies-against-proposed-rate-hike-by-sceg