SCE&G Announces Rate Hike
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SCE and G Announces Rate Hike
Out come the sweaters, up goes the thermostat. It?s that time of the year...but consistent with many other things going up during these economic times, natural gas is also pricier this year. WJBF...
Out come the sweaters, up goes the thermostat. It’s that time of the year…but consistent with many other things going up during these economic times, natural gas is also pricier this year. WJBF News Channel 6’s Joy Howe tells us how many customers may soon be feeling extra heat in their wallets.
Published: October 20, 2008
Updated: October 21, 2008
North Augusta, SC—As Fall temperatures begin to drop, some South Carolinians will see their utility bills rise. South Carolina Electric and Gas just announced a 6% rate increase for their customers…which leaves many people with bills that are getting pretty hot to handle.
Charles Feagin, SCE&G Customer: “I’m just the average individual like I say, getting by.“
Robert Burch, SCE&G Customer: “Paying more and more money every month on these things.“
The company looks at the price of coal and natural gas every Spring. That’s when they set their rates for their customers. But this year, natural gas went up past their projections…and for the first time, SCE&G officials say they have to tack on that extra 6% in the middle of their fiscal year…when people first start turning on the heat.
Burch: “Yeah, I finally turned my heat on last night, finally. Been trying to hold back on it.“
A typical household using 1000 kilowatt hours a month will see about $7 more a month on their bills.
Feagin: “Well, I don’t understand it, but I’m like anyone else, I’m here to give them what I got to pay them.“
Burch: “Definitely got to pay them. I got animals in the house, got food in the fridge, got to keep things up and running.“
SCE&G officials say they’re not giving their customers the cold shoulder. They say they don’t earn any extra profit on this part of the rate increase…customers pay exactly what they pay.
In the meantime, bundling up may be the cheapest way to keep your budget from getting into hot water.
Feagin: “Stay warm and wear a thick jacket.“
Burch: “Honestly, I just turned mine down to 68 last night and dared anybody to touch it.“
SCE&G officials say they do realize the winter months are coming, and they are helping lower income households prepare through project share. The company has donated $250,000 to help families pay their gas and electric bills and they’ll match dollar amounts that their customers donate through the end of the year, up to $100,000 additional dollars.
You can get more information by logging onto http://www.sceg.com keyword: project share.
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