A Dominion Energy witness dropped a bombshell at a recent Public Service Commission hearing.

According to SC Small Business Chamber CEO Frank Knapp Jr., the witness, Alan Rooks, testified that Dominion non-solar customers do not subsidize solar customers.

Dominion has asked state regulators to let it raise rates on solar ratepayers because they are subsidized by nonsolar ratepayers.

Rooks is responsible for designing and administering Dominion’s electric rates and tariffs, Knapp said.

Based on the utility’s own analysis, Rooks revealed details of Dominion’s “cost shift” assertions as:

• Home non-solar customers pay $1.38 more a month to subsidize solar customers.

• Non-solar small businesses pay 28 cents more.

Under cross examination Rooks acknowledged that:

• Subsidies were not occurring but instead were projected in the future.

• Even if Dominion’s proposed higher rates for solar customers went into effect now, non-solar customers would receive no benefit.

• Dominion will keep millions of dollars in higher rates if the PSC approves.

“Lawmakers were not told any of these details during deliberation of a bill years ago to eliminate the solar cost shift,” Knapp said.

Had Dominion done so, the urgency of this problem might have evaporated.

However, the PSC may decide to adjust the solar net metering program to address any potential cost shift, said Knapp, an intervenor in the hearing.

“Nevada enacted similar draconian policies and their solar markets collapsed.”

“Solar demand will drop dramatically due to a 60% drop in solar savings.”

“Fewer customers will buy solar because reputable companies won’t be able to give savings projections with any certainty because Dominion won’t provide hourly electricity-use data needed.”

Reputable solar companies will abandon South Carolina, Knapp said.

Remaining solar demand will go to disreputable out-of-state solar companies.

“With little new solar to reduce peak demand,” he said, “Dominion will want the PSC to raise your rates to build new generators.”

Dominion has not yet responded to a Chronicle request for comment on this.