South Carolina Electricity Rates Explained

South Carolina's electricity rates look like a bargain on paper. At around 14.72 cents per kilowatt-hour, residents pay roughly 18% less than the national average of 18.05 cents. But here's the catch: South Carolinians use so much electricity — about 13,000 kWh per year, well above the national average — that monthly bills land between $155 and $214. The "cheap" rate creates a false sense of affordability that evaporates when you open your bill in August.

And then there's the story that no other state can match. South Carolina ratepayers are still paying for a $9 billion nuclear power plant that was never finished. The V.C. Summer scandal — complete with fraud convictions, a bankrupt contractor, and billions in stranded debt — is baked into every electricity bill in the state. Understanding how you got here, what you're actually paying, and what you can do about it is worth real money.

How South Carolina's Electricity Market Works

South Carolina is a fully regulated electricity market. That means you cannot choose your electricity provider — your utility is determined by your address. Unlike deregulated states where dozens of companies compete for your business, South Carolina's utilities own the power plants, the transmission lines, and the customer relationship. You get one option.

Three large investor-owned utilities serve about 61% of the state's energy demand: Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, and Dominion Energy South Carolina. The state-owned Santee Cooper serves coastal areas directly and provides wholesale power to 19 electric cooperatives that cover rural communities across all 46 counties.

The Public Service Commission

The South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates the investor-owned utilities — setting rates, approving infrastructure investments, and handling consumer complaints. But the PSC has a structural quirk that matters: its seven commissioners are elected by the state legislature, not by voters. They serve staggered four-year terms with no term limits, and there's no requirement for bipartisan representation.

This arrangement raises accountability questions. The PSC approved the Base Load Review Act that enabled the V.C. Summer disaster, and critics have long argued that commissioners answer more to the utilities and legislators who put them in office than to the ratepayers they're supposed to protect. Reform efforts have focused on increasing transparency, but the fundamental structure remains.

One important exception: Santee Cooper, as a state-owned utility, is not regulated by the PSC. It's governed by its own board appointed by the Governor. That distinction matters when it comes to rate increases and oversight.

What South Carolinians Actually Pay

Let's put real numbers on what you're spending. The statewide average residential rate sits at about 14.72 cents per kWh as of early 2026. That rate has been climbing — up from 13.8 cents in early 2025 to 14.9 cents by November 2025, a 7.8% increase in less than a year.

But per-kWh rates only tell part of the story. South Carolina's hot, humid summers drive heavy air conditioning use, pushing annual consumption well above the national average. Here's what that means for your wallet:

Metric	South Carolina	National Average
Average rate (cents/kWh)	14.72	18.05
Average monthly bill	$155–$214	~$163
Annual consumption	~13,000 kWh	~10,500 kWh

The range in monthly bills reflects different data sources. The EIA-based calculation puts the average around $155–$165, while self-reported data from EnergySage shows averages closer to $214 — likely because the heaviest users are the ones researching their bills.

Either way, the takeaway is clear: South Carolina's low per-kWh rate does not mean low bills. If you want to understand exactly where your money goes each month, our guide on how to read your electric bill and spot overcharges breaks down every line item.

Comparing South Carolina's Major Utilities

Your monthly bill depends heavily on which utility serves your address. Here's how the major providers stack up in 2026:

Utility	Service Area	Typical Monthly Bill (1,000 kWh)	Recent Rate Activity
Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC)	Upstate/Piedmont (Greenville, Spartanburg)	~$137	Settled for only $0.84/month increase
Duke Energy Progress (DEP)	Pee Dee region (Florence, Myrtle Beach)	~$155–$166	$51.2M increase authorized (early 2026)
Dominion Energy SC	Lowcountry/Midlands (Charleston, Columbia)	~$157 (rising to ~$177)	Seeking $332M increase for July 2026
Santee Cooper	Coastal SC (Horry, Georgetown)	Varies with demand charge	First increase since 2017; double hike in 2025

Duke Energy Carolinas: The Best Deal in the State

Duke Energy Carolinas serves the Upstate and Piedmont region and currently offers the lowest typical bills at around $137 per month for 1,000 kWh of usage. In a remarkable outcome for ratepayers, Duke's 2025 rate case — which originally requested a $10.38 per month increase — settled for just $0.84 per month. That's a 0.6% increase instead of the 7.7% Duke wanted. Consumer advocates and the Sierra Club played a significant role in negotiating that settlement.

Duke Energy Progress: A Bigger Hit

Duke Energy Progress serves the Pee Dee region and fared less favorably in its rate case. DEP originally requested a $21.66 per month increase (12.1%), and while the PSC reduced that to a $51.2 million revenue increase, customers are still seeing meaningful bill growth. Typical residential bills now run $155–$166 per month.

Dominion Energy South Carolina: V.C. Summer's Shadow

Dominion serves the Lowcountry and Midlands — Charleston, Columbia, and surrounding areas — with about 820,000 customers. Dominion acquired the former South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) through its $14.6 billion purchase of SCANA in 2019, a deal driven largely by the V.C. Summer fallout.

Dominion is currently seeking a $332 million annual revenue increase to cover $1.4 billion in system investments. If approved, the average residential bill would rise from about $157 to $177 per month starting July 2026. And every Dominion bill still includes a 5.22% V.C. Summer surcharge — roughly $8 per month going toward the abandoned nuclear plant, with about 15 years of payments remaining.

Electric Cooperatives: The Hidden Network

South Carolina's 19 electric cooperatives are the state's largest distribution system, covering 75,000 miles of power lines and serving over 800,000 accounts across all 46 counties. Co-ops purchase wholesale power from Central Electric Power Cooperative, which buys from Santee Cooper.

Co-op rates were frozen as part of the V.C. Summer legal settlement, but that freeze ended in 2025. Berkeley Electric Co-op, for example, implemented an 11% rate increase effective March 2025. Central Electric's combined V.C. Summer and rate freeze costs reached approximately $4.4 billion. The cooperatives have also adopted new rate protections for residential customers to shield them from costs driven by data centers and large industrial users.

The V.C. Summer Nuclear Debacle

No guide to South Carolina electricity is complete without understanding the V.C. Summer scandal — the largest utility debacle in American history. It's not just history. It's a line item on your bill right now.

What Happened

In 2007, the South Carolina General Assembly passed the Base Load Review Act (BLRA), which allowed utilities to charge customers for power plants while they were still being built — before they generated a single watt of electricity. This shifted the financial risk from utility shareholders to ratepayers. It was a gift to the utilities, and it set the stage for disaster.

SCANA (parent of SCE&G) and Santee Cooper partnered to build two new Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactors at the V.C. Summer site in Fairfield County. SCANA held 55% and Santee Cooper 45%. The original cost estimate was around $9.8 billion. Construction began in 2013.

Under the BLRA, SCANA received nine rate increases during construction, collecting $2 billion from ratepayers before the project was abandoned. Meanwhile, costs ballooned. Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy in March 2017 due to AP1000 cost overruns worldwide. The projected total cost had swelled to over $25 billion.

On July 31, 2017, after spending approximately $9 billion, the project was abandoned. South Carolinians had spent $2 billion on a power plant that would never produce electricity.

The Fraud

It got worse. SCANA executives had been hiding the true state of the project from shareholders and regulators. CEO Kevin Marsh and VP Stephen Byrne both pleaded guilty to fraud. The SEC fined SCANA and SCE&G $112.5 million in disgorgement fees plus a $25 million penalty. The scandal became known locally as "Nukegate."

The BLRA was unanimously repealed by the South Carolina Senate in May 2018. The Ratepayer Protection Bill dropped the 18% surcharge on SCE&G bills — about $37 million per month that had been flowing to the utility for a nonexistent power plant.

What You're Still Paying

Dominion Energy acquired SCANA in December 2019 for $14.6 billion. A key part of that deal: Dominion could continue recovering V.C. Summer costs from ratepayers. Customers are on the hook for an additional $2.3 billion over roughly 20 years. The settlement included a Common Benefit Fund of up to $2 billion in future rate relief and a $115 million cash payment to affected customers.

Here's what ratepayers are still paying in 2026:

• Dominion customers: 5.22% of your monthly bill (~$8/month) for approximately 15 more years
• Santee Cooper customers: ~5% of your bill goes toward Santee Cooper's $3.6 billion in V.C. Summer debt
• Co-op customers: Costs are being absorbed through the rate increases that began when the freeze ended in 2025

The Brookfield Restart: Redemption or Repeat?

In December 2025, New York investment firm Brookfield Asset Management offered $2.7 billion to buy and potentially complete the two unfinished AP1000 reactors. Santee Cooper's board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding.

The terms are significant. Santee Cooper would receive $2.7 billion in cash — enough to eliminate that much V.C. Summer debt from customer bills. Santee Cooper would retain a 25% ownership stake in the completed plant. If finished, the reactors would provide 2,200 megawatts of carbon-free nuclear power.

Brookfield has until June 26, 2026 to determine initial feasibility, with a final investment decision estimated 18–24 months after that. The deal includes commitments to use South Carolina companies, labor, and workforce development partnerships.

If it works, this would be a dramatic redemption story — turning the nation's biggest utility scandal into a functioning nuclear power plant. But South Carolinians have heard big promises about V.C. Summer before. The feasibility study will be the first real test.

The Santee Cooper Situation

Santee Cooper deserves special attention because its financial troubles affect far more people than its 190,000 direct retail customers. As the wholesale power supplier to 19 electric cooperatives serving 800,000+ accounts, Santee Cooper's decisions ripple across the entire state.

Created in 1934 as a New Deal-era public utility, Santee Cooper is the largest generator of electricity in South Carolina. As a state-owned entity, it could not declare bankruptcy when V.C. Summer collapsed, leaving it saddled with $3.6 billion in debt. Multiple proposals to sell Santee Cooper were rejected by the legislature, which chose a "reform, not sell" approach through Act 90 in 2021.

The 2025 Rate Overhaul

After years of frozen rates imposed as part of the V.C. Summer legal settlement, Santee Cooper implemented its first base rate change since 2017 in April 2025. The new structure is a fundamental shift:

Component	Old Structure	New Structure (April 2025)
Energy charge	11.97¢/kWh (summer) / 9.97¢/kWh (winter)	7.92¢/kWh year-round
Customer charge	$19.50/month	$20.00/month
Demand charge	None	$8.00/kW (peak hour each month)

The new demand charge means your bill depends not just on how much electricity you use, but when you use it. If you run your AC, oven, dryer, and pool pump all at the same time during peak hours, your demand charge will be significantly higher than if you spread that usage out.

Santee Cooper customers got hit again in July 2025 with a second increase related to V.C. Summer settlement costs. The typical residential increase from the April changes alone was $10.72 per month.

New Debt and Investment

Santee Cooper has also approved significant new borrowing: $685 million for natural gas power projects and $570 million for unbudgeted costs accumulated during the five-year rate freeze. The utility is partnering with Dominion on a 2,200 MW gas plant at the former Canadys coal plant site, estimated at $5 billion — double the initial $2.5 billion estimate. That cost trajectory may sound familiar to South Carolinians.

Understanding Your Rate Structure

South Carolina utilities offer several rate structures. Choosing the right one — or optimizing your usage within your current structure — can meaningfully reduce your bill.

Standard Residential Rates

Most customers are on a basic flat energy rate. You pay a fixed customer charge ($10–$20 per month) plus an energy charge for each kWh you consume. Your bill also includes fuel cost adjustments, grid modernization riders, storm recovery charges, and — if you're a Dominion customer — the V.C. Summer surcharge.

Time-of-Use Rates

Dominion Energy offers a voluntary time-of-use option (Rate 16) that rewards you for shifting usage away from peak hours:

• Summer on-peak: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Monday–Friday
• Winter on-peak: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM, Monday–Friday
• Super off-peak: 1:00 AM – 5:00 AM year-round

If you can run your dishwasher, laundry, and EV charger during super off-peak hours, you'll pay significantly less per kWh. Accounts averaging over 3,000 kWh per month are not eligible for the tiered TOU rate. A smart thermostat can help you automatically pre-cool your home before peak hours, cutting costs without sacrificing comfort.

Dominion's Energy Saver Rate

Dominion's Rate 6 offers reduced rates for homes built or upgraded to higher energy efficiency standards. If you've invested in insulation, efficient windows, or a high-performance HVAC system, ask Dominion whether you qualify. It's available for both new construction and existing homes.

Santee Cooper's Demand-Based Pricing

As described above, Santee Cooper's new rate structure adds a demand charge based on your single highest hour of usage each month. This is a fundamentally different way to price electricity. The key strategy: never run all your big appliances at the same time. Stagger your AC, water heater, dryer, and oven to keep your peak demand low. A home energy monitor can help you track your demand in real time.

Solar Energy and the Energy Freedom Act

South Carolina's relationship with solar energy changed dramatically in 2019 when the legislature passed the Energy Freedom Act (Act 62). Before that law, solar leasing was illegal and net metering was capped at 2% of utility generation — effectively locking most South Carolinians out of solar.

The Energy Freedom Act legalized solar leasing (third-party ownership), lifted net metering caps, and opened the state to solar companies. It also encouraged community solar programs. If you're interested in solar but do not own your roof or cannot install panels, community solar lets you subscribe to a shared solar farm and receive credits on your bill.

Net Metering: Timing Matters

If you're considering rooftop solar, when you apply for net metering affects your credit rate:

• Applied before May 16, 2019: Full retail credit until December 31, 2025
• Applied May 16, 2019 – May 31, 2021: Full retail credit until May 31, 2029
• Applied January 1, 2022 or later: Solar Choice Metering Permanent Tariffs (reduced from full retail)

New installations receive less than full retail value for excess generation, but the federal 30% Investment Tax Credit still applies, and South Carolina's strong solar resource (high annual sun hours) means typical payback periods run 8–12 years depending on your utility and system size. For a thorough breakdown of what to look for, read our guide to choosing the best solar panels for your home.

The Energy Security Act (2025)

In May 2025, Governor McMaster signed the Energy Security Act — a sweeping 72-page energy bill that reshaped the state's energy direction. Key provisions include authorization for the Dominion-Santee Cooper joint gas plant at Canadys, expanded roles for the Nuclear Advisory Council, a pilot program for small modular reactors (SMRs), and new economic development rate frameworks.

Clean energy advocates criticized the law for heavily favoring fossil gas and nuclear over renewables. Supporters argued it was necessary for grid reliability given unprecedented economic growth in the state. Regardless of where you stand, the law signals that South Carolina's energy future will be built primarily on nuclear and natural gas, with solar playing a supporting role.

South Carolina's Generation Mix

South Carolina is the third-largest nuclear power state in the country. Over half of the state's electricity comes from four nuclear plants:

Source	Share of Generation
Nuclear	54.1%
Natural gas	21.5%
Coal	17.3%
Solar	3.2%
Hydroelectric	2.4%
Biomass	1.5%

An additional 1,600 MW of solar capacity is scheduled to come online by 2026, and Duke Energy plans to install roughly 300 MW of standalone battery storage. But nuclear will remain the backbone of South Carolina's grid for the foreseeable future.

How to Lower Your South Carolina Electric Bill

South Carolina's high consumption is the biggest lever you can pull. The rate is already below average — the problem is how much electricity you're using, especially for summer cooling. Here are strategies that work in the Palmetto State.

Take Advantage of Utility Rebates

Duke Energy expanded its rebate programs significantly in August 2025, with PSC-approved incentives that doubled or tripled previous levels. The Smart $aver program offers rebates for insulation upgrades, water heaters (including heat pump models), smart thermostats, and HVAC systems. The EnergyWise Home program provides bill credits for allowing Duke to adjust your thermostat during peak demand.

Dominion Energy also offers thermostat and efficiency programs. Check your utility's website for current offerings — these programs change regularly and the expanded incentives represent real money.

Tackle Your Cooling Costs

Air conditioning is the single biggest cost driver for South Carolina households. The hot, humid climate means your AC runs hard from May through September. High-impact upgrades include:

• Attic insulation and air sealing — the best ROI in South Carolina's climate. Many homes, especially older ones, are dramatically under-insulated. Our DIY home energy audit guide walks you through finding the biggest leaks.
• A heat pump upgrade — modern heat pumps provide both heating and cooling far more efficiently than traditional systems. Our guide to the best heat pumps for 2026 covers what to look for.
• Smart thermostats — a programmable smart thermostat can cut heating and cooling costs by 10–15% by optimizing schedules and pre-cooling before peak hours.
• Energy-efficient windows — reduce cooling load significantly in South Carolina's climate.

Optimize Your Rate Structure

If you're a Dominion customer, look into the time-of-use rate (Rate 16) and the Energy Saver rate (Rate 6). If you're on Santee Cooper, focus on reducing your peak demand — stagger large appliances and avoid running everything simultaneously. Our guide on how to cut your electric bill in half covers more strategies that apply regardless of your utility.

Watch for Federal Rebates in 2026

Two major federal rebate programs are expected to launch in South Carolina in 2026:

• Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) — significant rebates for whole-home efficiency upgrades
• Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) — rebates for heat pumps, insulation, electrical panels, and more

These programs, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, will offer substantial savings on top of utility rebates. Keep an eye on the SC Energy Office (energy.sc.gov) for launch dates and eligibility.

Consider Solar

With the Energy Freedom Act opening the market, solar is more accessible than ever in South Carolina. Between the 30% federal tax credit, South Carolina's strong solar resource, and available net metering (even at reduced rates for new installations), the economics can work — especially if your bills are already high. For those who cannot install panels, community solar programs offer an alternative path.

Low-Income Energy Assistance

If you're struggling to pay your electricity bills, several programs can help.

LIHEAP

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program administered by the SC Office of Economic Opportunity. For fiscal year 2026, South Carolina received $44.4 million in funding. Benefits include:

• Heating assistance (October–April): $200–$850
• Cooling assistance (April–September): $200–$775
• Crisis assistance (year-round): up to $1,000
• Weatherization (April–September): available to households at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level

Income eligibility is set at 60% of the State Median Income. Applications are processed through local Community Action Agencies and an online portal.

Dominion EnergyShare

Dominion Energy's EnergyShare program provides assistance to income-eligible, disabled, and senior customers. Funded by Dominion customers, employees, and retirees, it covers both electric and natural gas service. Apply through your local Community Action Agency.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) installs energy conservation measures — insulation, air sealing, and more — at no cost to income-qualified households. This is not just bill assistance; it permanently reduces your energy costs by making your home more efficient.

Where to Start

The SC Energy Office (energy.sc.gov) serves as the central portal for energy bill assistance. The Palmetto Community Action Partnership serves the Charleston area and administers both LIHEAP and EnergyShare. You can reach them at 1-844-769-6448.

Grid Reliability and Hurricane Preparedness

South Carolina's coastal geography makes it vulnerable to hurricanes, and the 2024 season proved just how devastating that can be.

Hurricane Helene (2024)

Hurricane Helene caused 639,000 power outages in South Carolina in September 2024, with the Upstate region particularly hard-hit. Duke Energy deployed over 21,000 workers and restored power to 1.1 million customers across the Carolinas within 48 hours, but 219,000 Upstate customers remained without power after initial restoration efforts. Parts of the system required complete rebuilding — not just repairs — with helicopters moving power poles into the hardest-hit areas.

Grid Modernization

Duke Energy has nearly tripled the number of South Carolina customers served by self-healing grid technology, which now covers over 70% of customers. This automated system detects outages, isolates damaged sections, and reroutes power — reducing outage duration significantly. The proposed Bill 329 (2025–2026) would authorize additional targeted grid investment programs for reliability improvement, outage risk reduction, and weather resilience.

What This Means for You

South Carolina's grid will face increasing stress from hurricanes, growing demand (including from data centers), and the transition away from coal. The planned investments — 1,600 MW of new solar, 300 MW of battery storage, the 2,200 MW Canadys gas plant, and potentially the V.C. Summer nuclear restart — are all aimed at building capacity and resilience. But those investments cost money, and ratepayers will bear the cost through future rate increases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose my electricity provider in South Carolina?

No. South Carolina is a fully regulated market. Your utility is determined by your address, and you cannot switch to a different provider. This applies to all customers — residential, commercial, and industrial. The only "choice" you have is between rate plans offered by your assigned utility.

How much of my bill goes toward the failed V.C. Summer nuclear plant?

If you're a Dominion Energy customer, approximately 5.22% of your monthly bill — around $8 per month — goes toward V.C. Summer costs, and these payments will continue for roughly 15 more years. Santee Cooper and cooperative customers pay approximately 5% of their bills toward Santee Cooper's $3.6 billion in V.C. Summer debt. If the Brookfield deal goes through, it could eliminate $2.7 billion of that debt.

Why are electricity rates rising in South Carolina?

Multiple factors are driving increases: grid modernization investments after Hurricane Helene, coal plant retirements that require replacement generation, ongoing V.C. Summer debt payments, increased demand from data centers and economic growth, and fuel cost fluctuations. Every major utility in the state has either recently received or is currently seeking a rate increase.

Is solar worth it in South Carolina?

South Carolina has strong solar resources, and the Energy Freedom Act made solar leasing legal and lifted net metering caps. New installations get Solar Choice Metering rates (less than full retail value for excess generation), but the 30% federal tax credit still applies. Typical payback periods range from 8–12 years depending on your utility, system size, and roof orientation. Solar is particularly attractive if you have high bills and a south-facing roof with minimal shading.

Who regulates Santee Cooper?

Unlike the investor-owned utilities (Duke and Dominion), Santee Cooper is not regulated by the PSC. As a state-owned utility, it's governed by its own board of directors appointed by the Governor. Act 90 (2021) added additional oversight requirements, but Santee Cooper still operates with more independence than the regulated utilities. This matters because rate increase decisions follow a different process.

What is the cheapest utility in South Carolina?

Duke Energy Carolinas currently offers the lowest typical residential bills at about $137 per month for 1,000 kWh. Santee Cooper's new energy rate of 7.92 cents per kWh is among the lowest in the state, but the added demand charge means your total bill depends on usage patterns — if you have high peak demand, Santee Cooper bills can exceed those of other utilities.

Will the V.C. Summer nuclear plant ever be completed?

Possibly. Brookfield Asset Management offered $2.7 billion to complete the two AP1000 reactors, and Santee Cooper's board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding in December 2025. Brookfield has until June 2026 to assess initial feasibility, with a final investment decision expected 18–24 months after that. If completed, the plant would add 2,200 MW of carbon-free nuclear power. But given the project's history, healthy skepticism is warranted.

How does South Carolina generate its electricity?

Nuclear power dominates at 54.1%, making South Carolina the third-largest nuclear power state in the country. Natural gas accounts for 21.5%, coal for 17.3%, solar for 3.2%, and hydroelectric for 2.4%. The heavy reliance on nuclear provides stable baseload power with low carbon emissions, but it carries financial risks — as V.C. Summer demonstrated — and concentrated dependence on a single technology.

Your Action Plan: Save Money on South Carolina Electricity

Here's a step-by-step plan you can start this week:

Today:

1. Pull up your last 12 months of electricity bills. Note your monthly kWh usage and total charges. If you do not have paper bills, log into your utility's online portal.
2. Identify your utility and current rate plan. Check whether you're on the standard rate or an alternative like Dominion's time-of-use or Energy Saver rate.

This Week: 3. Visit your utility's website and review available rate plans. If you're a Dominion customer, check whether you qualify for Rate 6 (Energy Saver) or Rate 16 (time-of-use). If you're on Santee Cooper, learn how the demand charge works and identify your peak usage hours. 4. Check your utility's rebate programs. Duke Energy's expanded Smart $aver rebates (launched August 2025) doubled or tripled many incentive amounts. Dominion offers EnergyShare and efficiency programs. Do not leave free money on the table. 5. Do a quick DIY energy audit. Walk through your home with a focus on insulation, air leaks, and your HVAC system. In South Carolina's climate, attic insulation and air sealing deliver the highest return.

This Month: 6. Get quotes for your highest-impact upgrade. For most South Carolina homes, that's either attic insulation, a heat pump upgrade, or a smart thermostat. Stack your utility rebate with the federal tax credit to reduce out-of-pocket cost. 7. If your bills consistently exceed $200 per month, request a solar quote. With the Energy Freedom Act enabling leasing and the 30% federal credit, solar pencils out for many South Carolina homeowners. Compare at least three installers. 8. If you qualify for assistance, apply. LIHEAP cooling assistance opens April 1, and weatherization services can permanently reduce your bills at no cost.

Ongoing: 9. Monitor the V.C. Summer situation. If Brookfield's feasibility assessment (expected by June 2026) moves forward, it could eventually reduce the nuclear surcharge on your bill. 10. Watch for the federal HOMES and HEAR rebate programs launching in South Carolina in 2026. These will offer significant additional incentives for efficiency upgrades and electrification. 11. Track your usage monthly. A home energy monitor gives you real-time visibility into where your electricity goes — and where you're wasting it.

South Carolina's electricity story is complicated by a billion-dollar scandal, a state-owned utility under financial stress, and a grid that faces growing demand and hurricane risk. But the basics still hold: reduce your consumption, optimize your rate plan, take advantage of every rebate and credit available, and make informed decisions about solar. The rate may be below average, but your bill does not have to be above average too.