Dominion Energy South Carolina Seeks 12.67% Rate Hike After $1.4 Billion System Investment

Dominion Energy South Carolina filed a rate increase request with the S.C. Public Service Commission. Rates would jump 12.67% for homes. The average monthly bill for residents would climb by about $20.

The company poured $1.4 billion into its system during the past two years. Keller Kissam, president of the utility, spoke to the Rotary Club of Aiken on Feb. 23 at Newberry Hall. He discussed the rate request and other matters.

"We feel like what we asked for was reasonable based on our expenses," said Kissam to the Aiken Standard. "We've invested $1.4 billion in the last two years in our system. If there was an economic development project that came here for $1.4 billion, Gov. [Henry] McMaster would be cutting a yellow ribbon and whatnot."

The request includes other increases. Commercial rates would rise 5.91%. Industrial rates would go up 14.86%. Street lighting rates would increase 20.1%. The rate increase process involves negotiations with the commission. Final amounts will be lower than requested.

Kissam addressed concerns about data centers and their effect on customer rates. The power needs and system improvements required for those facilities won't cause rates to go up for other customers. That's because of how the company conducts business.