New Rates Give Customers More Control Over Bills

After a months-long public input process that included significant customer feedback, the Santee Cooper Board of Directors in December approved new base rates for retail customers. The new rates mark the first increase in base rates since 2017 and offer new flexibility for customers to control their monthly bills.

“The new rates will allow Santee Cooper to keep customers’ monthly bills below the state and national averages while we work to meet growing customer demand, invest in our electric system, and comply with new regulations,” said Jimmy Staton, President and CEO of Santee Cooper.

The public input process was robust and comprehensive, giving customers the option to voice their opinions at in-person and virtual meetings and via comments submitted online or by mail. Overall, Santee Cooper received around 450 customer comments and 26 data requests.

After listening to customers’ comments and concerns, staff brought modifications to the proposed rates to the Board on Nov. 7, and the Board voted to approve the modified rates on Dec. 9.

Under the approved rates, the typical residential customer will see an average $11 monthly increase. However, customers will have flexibility to reduce their monthly bills through taking advantage of how they use electricity under a three-part rate.

Because a three-part rate is new for residential customers, Santee Cooper released an educational campaign to help customers “Defeat The Peak and Bank The Savings.” The campaign features a friendly neighborhood rivalry between two families whose goal is to save energy during Peak Hours.

“Peak Hours are the three hours each day when demand for electricity surges, and so does the cost to provide it. When customers choose to make simple changes to when they use electricity, they have more control over their bills,” said Vicky Budreau, Santee Cooper’s Chief Customer Officer. “Shifting and delaying the use of appliances that require a lot of electricity can help customers lower their bills.” 

Customers can “Defeat The Peak and Bank The Savings” by shifting or staggering the use of energy-intensive appliances away from the three Peak Hours each day.

Peak hours are from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. during winter months (November through March) and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. during summer months (April through October). 

Residential customers are only billed for their highest, one-hour of demand during Peak Hours for each billing cycle.

In addition to residential customers, the Board approved new rates for commercial, industrial, solar and lighting customers. Learn more here.