Thanks to the Chronicle for alerting readers to Dominion Energy’s bid for a 7.7% hike in electricity rates. If granted by the Public Service Commission, this large rate hike would have a significant negative impact on captive ratepayers in Lexington County and all of Dominion’s service area.

Dominion ratepayers are paying attention and speaking out to the PSC against the rate-hike request. During night hearing the week of Nov. 9, dozens of ratepayers voiced strong objection to the proposed rate hike.

Comments came not only from average customers but also from former SCE&G employees and elected officials such as Sens. Tom Young, Shane Massey and Mia McCloud, all Dominion ratepayers.

During the 3 live-streamed public hearings, ratepayers presented well-reasoned arguments against granting the rate hike.

The bulk of those testifying in 3-minute oral comments cited financial hardships, which was heart-wrenching to hear as many of our fellow citizens, especially the elderly and those on fixed incomes, are suffering.

Many voiced opposition to a rate hike during the covid-19 economic chaos. A common theme was a deep lack of trust in the PSC and Dominion, which seems to be doing quite well financially.

The PSC’s unquestioning approval of the SCE&G nuclear reactor construction debacle has not been forgotten. The deceptive Dominion campaign to take over SCE&G and issue a $1,000 check to all customers still draws anger. With little to show good intent, I wonder if Dominion cares that it has much to do to gain its ratepayers’ trust.

Former SCE&G executives and lawyers who advised them and are now working for Dominion remain under investigation by the US Attorney’s office for potential fraudulent behavior in the nuclear debacle.

Investigations continue and more indictments are likely in the fall of 2021.

It was clear that Dominion ratepayers had done their homework in speaking about no justification for the request and in support of greater emphasis on alternative energy and conservation, for more openness and for a fairer rate structure.

People understood that Dominion rates in South Carolina are inexplicably the highest in the Southeastern US.

I listened for at least 6 hours and heard no comment in favor of the rate hike. Unfortunately, questions of the ratepayers by the 7 PSC members were few, as they rushed to end the hearings each night.

The hearings are archived by SCETV and can be reviewed at https://www.scetv.org/ live/public-service-commission

The entire PSC members have been replaced since the nuclear project was terminated in 2017. The PSC has historically acted against the public interest, perhaps we can now wrest control from their hands.

Tom Clements is director, Savannah River Site Watch and former intervenor in the SCE&G nuclear project.