During a year that has seen the continuation of a disastrous worldwide economic turndown, SCE&G, which provides gas and electric service to our area, has proposed yet another rate increase of 9.5%.

In a time when their customers have had to adjust budgets and cut down on even the most basic necessities in life, the monolithic utility giant continues to arrogantly demand higher rates to meet its profit goals. Charities around the area have been strained dramatically by efforts to assist area citizens with payment of gas and electric bills, that have already seen increases of 20 to 30% since November of 2008.

Officials at SCE&G have stated that the increase is needed to fund an expansion of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Generating Plant near Jenkinsville in Farifield County. The cost of the proposed expansion is estimated at 4.9 billion dollars.

SCE&G parent, SCANA Corp, generated 2009 revenues of 3.143 billion dollars through the end of the 3rd quarter of the year. According to SEC filings, the utility paid out over 60 million dollars in investor dividends for the 3^rd quarter alone.

The proposed increase is meeting with widespread resistance. The prevailing opinion seems to be that the corporation and its investors, who will see enormous profits from the Jenkinsville expansion, should be the ones paying for the project. Those who have no energy alternatives should not be placed under further financial hardship to pay for a project that will create added wealth for others.

Editorial note: Enough is enough! There is something very wrong when a public utility, which is a guardian of the public trust, can be allowed to take unfair advantage of the customers it already holds hostage. Utility customers have no choice as to who they obtain their energy resources from, and most are already facing severe economic challenges. SCE&G and SCANA should be serving these customers, not causing them additional hardship.