Charleston Post and Courier December 1, 2018 BY JOSEPH A. DARBY I seldom have the opportunity to respond to a column from someone who I consider to be a friend. I have that opportunity today because of a recent op-ed by Stephen Gilchrist, the state chairman of Explore Offshore SC…
Trump delivers on promise with Atlantic offshore testing. It could cost him GOP allies.
McClatchy December 1, 2018 By Stuart Leavenworth The Trump administration on Friday approved key permits that could allow seismic testing to go forward on the Atlantic Coast, a prelude to offshore oil drilling and a move that is antagonizing Republican governors and lawmakers in the Southeast, whose support the president…
Small business, middle class still losers in lame duck tax proposal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Conan Knoll conan@emcstrategies.com (831) 524-6764 Statement by Frank Knapp, Jr. co-chair of Businesses for Responsible Tax Reform and founder and CEO of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce Washington, D.C., Nov. 29, 2018—The strong push-back against the new tax law, which culminated in ousting the Republican…
Opinion: A cloud hangs over SCE&G rate rollback decision
The State November 28, 2018 By Frank Knapp Jr. Guest Columnist After 15 long days, the S.C. Public Service Commission (PSC) wrapped up its hearing on the SCE&G nuclear debacle. In the next few weeks, it will rule on how much SCE&G electric customers will have to pay for the…
We Just Saved One Business Owner $600 a Month In Health Insurance Premium for a Family of Three
How much can you save with a 5-Minute Call? With one call to the South Carolina Small Business Chamber preferred insurance broker, one of our members has just reduced their premiums by $600 a month on a 12-month United Healthcare plan with quality benefits! Premiums for health insurance for small…
Class Action Lawsuit Against SCE&G Gets Only $185 Million of $2 Billion Sought
The proposed settlement of the private class action suit against SCE&G to recover $2 billion in rates already paid by customers for the abandoned nuclear project comes up short…way short. Yes, SCE&G agrees not to charge ratepayers for the $115 million golden parachutes for executives. That will make the customers…
Day 15, Final Day of the PSC Hearing (11-21-18)
After 14 day-long sessions, the final day of the PSC hearing had arrived. The preceding day Dominion had signaled that it would be making another best and final proposal to be introduced by a previous witness. But the first witness was Stephen Byrne, SCANA’s former Chief Operating Officer. No new…
Day 14 of the PSC Hearing (11-20-18)
Day 14 of the PSC hearing featured ORS witnesses Kenneth Brown and Carlette Walker. Mr. Brown is the former SCE&G engineer employed on the nuclear project. Ms. Walker is the former Vice President of Nuclear Finance Administration at SCANA. Mr. Brown described himself as a perfectionist. He cited incompetent management…
Could oil industry mean $1.5 billion for South Carolina? Lowcountry leaders question figures
Hilton Head Island Packet November 21, 2018 By Stephen Fastenau Lowcountry leaders opposed to offshore drilling off the South Carolina coast pushed back against a recent oil industry report that drilling and exploration could be worth more than a billion dollars to the state. Tapping oil and natural gas reserves…
Dominion Energy’s Latest “Best and Final” Offer (11-20-18)
Drum roll please. Today (Tuesday) Dominion Energy announced that it will be introducing on Wednesday what is at least its third “best and final” proposal for buying SCANA/SCE&G and providing some benefits to ratepayers. SCE&G electric rates have been raised 9 times since 2009 totaling 18% for the failed nuclear…