Energy: December 2008 Archives

After almost three weeks of hearings, the application by SCE&G and Santee Cooper to build two more nuclear power plants in Fairfield County still must win the approval of state and federal regulators.  South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. executives and nuclear power expert witnesses testified regarding SCE&G plans to add two reactor units to the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station at Jenkinsville at a cost of $9.8 billion.

The Office of Regulatory Staff serves as a watchdog for ratepayers in cases presented to state regulators but is also charged with looking out for the financial integrity of investor-owned utilities and promoting economic development. Bob Guild, a Columbia attorney who represented the environmental group Friends of the Earth in opposing the nuclear plan, says that representing  both ratepayers and utilities is a conflict of interest.

Fore more, see thestate.com. 

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company formally notified the Oklahoma Corporation Commission Dec. 12 of its intent to file a rate case early in 2009.  OG&E’s Brian Alford says that providing the notice gives the commission staff time to make workload plans and give them an idea of the types of energy industry experts they may need for the case. okcbusiness.com reports:

The case will proceed through the first half of 2009. If an increase is approved by the Commission, customers would not see it reflected in their electric rates until August 2009 at the earliest.  “Even though we’re still working through the details, we do know that we’ll be asking for an increase. OG&E’s current rates are based on costs experienced in 2004. In the last four years, the cost of doing business has increased dramatically; labor, health care, materials and other expenses are much higher,” he said. “At the same time, we’ve invested more than $700 million in new assets to ensure the reliable delivery of electricity, and those investments are not included in today’s rates.”