COLUMBIA, S.C. — Editor's note: An additional meeting that was originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 9 was cancelled.
Dominion Energy customers could see an increase in their electric bill. The energy company is requesting a 14% rate hike from regulators. The Public Service Commission held two hearings Monday to listen to customers' concerns.
“They are not working to make the planet better, they are working to make their pockets better,”
It’s what Dominion customers like Javar Juarez think about the potential rate increase they’re facing.
“I would like the Public Service Commission to have a firm vote of no and for Dominion Energy to be required to come back and give us a more environmentally transparent report to help us to understand what the last increase that the public service commission afforded them. What were they able to achieve with that? We as a community and the nonprofit sector should not hold the responsibility of continuing to try to impact this without the millions and billions of dollars that Dominion Energy has at its disposal. That's not our responsibility,” Juarez said.
Dominion Energy South Carolina filed an application with the state’s Public Service Commission back in March to increase its rates by approximately 14.21%. If approved customers monthly bills would increase by roughly $18.86 per month.
On Monday, the commission held two of three hearings in Columbia for customers to express their concerns. On July 15 the commission will hear Dominion Energy's case, which will include testimony from the company as well as intervenors.
In a statement to News 19 Dominion Energy says "Dominion Energy is committed to providing reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy to power our customers every day. As a responsible energy company with rates lower than the national average, we must invest money and recover the rising costs needed to keep our plants running, our system reliable and our grid secure – all while doing our part to help make South Carolina a place where people want to live and work."
“They’re asking for an unreasonable return” Dr. John Ruoff
Dr. Ruoff is a volunteer with the American Association of Retired Persons, he says the commission should consider the impact this will have on the elderly population.
“Increasing the rates means that you have to make choices in your life and those choices for older people particularly, especially if you're on a fixed income, really means you have to choose between food, medicine. Whether you can live in a safe and comfortable home, might be too hot, might be too cold. so those are those are tough choices to make,” he said.
Other customers like Elaine Cooper say they’ve lost hope in the company
“Customers don't have much faith in Dominion towards helping out with customers and not looking to their almighty profits versus the decency and treating their customers,” she said.
If approved, new rates would be effective in September.
“We get nothing in exchange, but it's continued service and business as usual. that's that won't do. that's not enough to convince us that we should employ the public service commission to vote on their behalf” Juarez said.
Another public hearing that was to have been Tuesday July 9th was cancelled.