Ratepayers Testify About V.C. Summer Impact Before Lawmakers

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)- The House Utility Ratepayer Protection Committee held it’s third hearing since it’s inception. This time, listening to the people who felt the fallout from V.C. Summer firsthand.

One by one, about 20 ratepayers from around South Carolina gave testimony about how the V.C. Summer abandonment left a negative impact on their lives.

“The decisions you make either help or hurt your constituents. This hurt your constituents,” began Allen Olson whose wife and stepson lost their jobs in the nuclear shutdown.

Many of the customers were frustrated with SCE&G being their only option for energy.

Committee Chair Peter McCoy said the consumer’s concerns are justified. “There is a monopoly here. They control how the rates are changed, how they are increased, and you can see the frustration on the ratepayers faces when they come forward to testify. And bottom line is they haven’t been put first. They are bearing the burden financial,” said McCoy.