Published in The State
November 5, 2004
Opponents to SCE&G’s proposed 3.56 percent increase in electric rates argued their views to the S.C. Public Service Commission Monday. Among them:
* Acting S.C. consumer advocate Elliott Elam, who spoke against consumers’ picking up the tab for SCE&G’s new energy plant in Jasper County.
* Frank Knapp, Jr., chief executive of the S.C. Small Business Chamber of Commerce, who said the commission’s staff rushed to judegement without all the facts in reaching a tentativ agreement with SCE&G before the hearing.
* Attorney Farnk Ellerbe III, who said his client, Columbia Energy, is concerned about potential harm to a “fair and open competitive wholesale market” if the cost of running SCE&G’s new Jasper County plant is borne by the ratepayers.
The rate hearing is expected to continue through Friday.