Dominion Energy is asking the South Carolina Public Service Commission to approve a 12.73% increase for residential customers. The request filed in January would add about $20 to the average person’s monthly bill. The request for the rate hike comes on the heels of a increase request, although scaled back, approved less than a year ago that resulted in higher rates for customers.
Dominion Energy stated, “Dominion Energy understands that no time is good for an increase in cost to any essential service, and we are committed to helping our customers, including the most vulnerable, get the assistance they need.” Rhonda Maree O’Banion spokesman for Dominion Energy said, “We must make investments to keep our system running in a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible manner,” O’Banion said. “This request is reasonable and necessary.”
In a press release, The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) stated that it has intervened to represent the interest of residential consumers as the Public Service Commission (PSC) evaluates Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.’s request to increase rates. The company serves customers living in 24 South Carolina counties from the Midlands to the Lowcountry.
Dominion Energy is asking the PSC to approve a rate increase of 12.73%, which amounts to about $19.98 per month, for the average residential electric customer. The company says the rise in rates will help the company keep up with a growing demand for electricity in the state.
Dominion Energy customers have opportunities in March, April and May to be heard on the requested rate increase. All hearings will be held in-person, but customers can choose to testify virtually at the May 12 and May 13 hearings in Columbia. During the hearings, the PSC will hear testimony from those who pre-register first. The hearings will be held at the following locations:
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 6 p.m. – Lonnie Hamilton III, Public Services Building Charleston County Council Chambers, 4045 Bridge View Drive, 2nd Floor, North Charleston, SC 29405
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 6 p.m. – Bluffton Town Council Chambers, 20 Bridge Street, Bluffton, SC 29910
Thursday, April 9, 2026, 6 p.m. – Aiken County Government Center County Council Chambers, 1930 University Parkway, 3rd Floor, Aiken, SC 29801
Thursday, April 28, 2026, 6 p.m. – Aiken County Government Center County Council Chambers, 1930 University Parkway, 3rd Floor, Aiken, SC 29801
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 10 a.m. until Noon – Public Service Commission Hearing Room 101 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29210
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. – Public Service Commission Hearing Room 101 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29210
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 (only if needed), 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. – Public Service Commission Hearing Room 101 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29210
This is the third-rate case SCDCA intervened in since June of last year. As the consumer advocate, SCDCA can intervene in utility ratemaking before the PSC and serves to advocate for the interest of residential customers. Since its authority to intervene at the PSC was restored by the General Assembly in 2018, SCDCA’s Advocacy Division has participated in over 50 PSC dockets, including every full rate case filing, other matters that impact residential rates, and numerous administrative proceedings. During this time, SCDCA’s involvement in electric, gas, water and sewer rate cases has saved residential customers over $46 million.
Consumers are encouraged to state their opinions on the rate increase to the state regulators at the public hearings. Unlike other services, consumers do not have a choice of where they receive their electrical power, and their rates are at the mercy of the South Carolina Public Services Commission.
