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South Carolina’s top two legislative leaders are seeking to formally intervene in the proposed Dominion Energy-NextEra utility merger, raising concerns about potential influence on the state Public Service Commission. Critics worry the involvement of House Speaker Murrell Smith and Senate President Thomas Alexander could pressure regulators reviewing the $67 billion deal.
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Here are key takeaways:
- The Dominion-NextEra merger would create a utility serving 10 million customers across Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The seven-member PSC, chosen by the South Carolina Legislature, must decide whether the deal is in the public interest.
- Smith and Alexander have told the PSC they do not oppose deciding the merger within six months, matching the timeline proposed by NextEra and Dominion. A decision could come by late January.
- Critics, including the Southern Environmental Law Center, call the six-month deadline “rushed” and want the timeline extended to May to learn from parallel proceedings in North Carolina and Virginia.
- Tom Ervin, a former legislator, judge and public service commissioner, said the Public Utilities Review Committee that Alexander chairs makes its members effectively “the bosses” of the commissioners, putting the PSC in a bad position.
- Bob Guild, a Sierra Club lawyer with more than 30 years of PSC experience, said the lawmakers’ involvement signals to commissioners that those responsible for their election support the companies’ position.
- Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, an Edgefield Republican, said it makes sense for legislative leadership to be at the table but said lawmakers should not influence the deal in ways detrimental to ratepayers.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
Read more SC legislative leaders intervene in $67 billion utility merger. Here’s what to know
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