The proposed increases would affect around two million people served by Santee Cooper across the state. The utility has submitted two separate adjustments, with one planned for February 2027 and another for 2028, according to information published by the provider.
The proposals come as many households across the United States face higher living costs, including rising utility and housing expenses. Santee Cooper said the changes are needed as communities, particularly along the South Carolina coast, continue to grow and require additional power infrastructure.
Santee Cooper Says System Growth Is Driving the Proposed Increases
The utility has proposed a 4.7% residential rate increase beginning in February 2027, followed by a second increase of 4.6% in 2028. According to Santee Cooper’s website, each adjustment would add about $6.60 per month to a typical customer’s electricity bill.
If both increases are approved, residential customers would pay roughly $13 more each month, representing about $156 more per year.
Tracy Vreeland, a spokesperson for Santee Cooper, told WMBF that the company needs to expand its system because of increasing demand.
“We’ve seen significant additions to our system the past couple of years as people move here, and we have to be able to provide power for them. So, we have to grow our system to be able to supply that power,” Vreeland said.
The company has pointed to aging equipment and growing electricity demand as reasons behind the proposed adjustments.
Residents Question Differences Between Residential and Commercial Increases
Some customers have raised concerns about the difference between the proposed residential and commercial rate changes. While residential customers would face a 4.7% increase, commercial customers would see a 2.9% increase under the proposal.
According to Santee Cooper, the approximately 200,000 commercial properties it serves do not use as much electricity as residential customers.
Rick White, a Conway, South Carolina resident, questioned why businesses would receive a smaller increase. Speaking to WMBF, he compared household electricity use with large commercial spaces.
“In my home we try to keep things around 76 degrees, that would be above what the average temperature is in a Walmart let’s say or even if you go to a Popeyes they’re frying food, you got things like that that are using electricity and yet you’re paying 2.9%, to me that doesn’t make any sense,” White said.
White also said he already follows Santee Cooper’s recommendations for reducing electricity use during peak hours but has not seen lower costs as a result.
“So in terms of my usage and how I intend to use things, I don’t think I’m gonna make any changes because I’ve already made changes and I’m still paying more money,” he said.
Customers Ask for Incentives Instead of Higher Bills
Some residents have suggested that Santee Cooper should focus on programs that encourage lower electricity consumption rather than increasing rates.
Bob Ebling, another Conway resident, said he previously lived in an area where customers received rebates for reducing their electricity use.
“In another location where we lived doing this type of management, they had a program where they incentivized the customer to save their load and reduce their use. You got a rebate. I don’t know why Santee Cooper is not taking a look on incenting customers versus penalizing the customers, and I do think it’s something they need to explore,” Ebling said.
Online reactions to the proposals have also been largely negative. One Facebook user questioned why businesses would receive a smaller rate increase despite being among the largest electricity users.
Another user said that a growing population could also bring additional revenue through new customers, questioning whether population growth alone justified higher rates.
Santee Cooper is accepting written feedback on the proposals through Thursday, July 30. The next public hearing is scheduled for August 31, where customers can attend and register to share their opinions.
The discussion comes as some residents continue looking for ways to reduce household expenses, including energy costs. Separate proposals affecting other utility bills, including water rates in one area, could also lead to higher payments if approved.
