Demanding accountability for V.C. Summer decision

I'm calling for the legislature to meet as soon as possible to discuss the decision by SCANA and Santee Cooper to abandon the V.C. Summer nuclear plan.

I am concerned the utility companies may try to pass the cost for their abandonment on to ratepayers, and that is completely unfair.

Before SCANA attempts to increase power bills, we need to know what happened and we need to see some responsibility taken for what’s occurred here. It’s not the ratepayers’ fault and, as such, consumers should not be held responsible.

Read my letter to my fellow Senators, co-signed with my colleague Shane Massey. »

I have also received word that I will serve as co-chair of the newly-formed V.C. Summer Nuclear Project Review Committee.

This committee was formed as an initial response to mine and Senator Massey's request that the legislature re-convene to discuss the V.C. Summer nuclear failure.

We are tasked with figuring out why the project failed, how we can protect ratepayers from further injury and how we can prevent something like this from happening again.

Our work won’t be easy and it probably won’t be quick. But I will make sure it is thorough

I am confident this committee will get to the bottom of the issue and I am optimistic that things are being done in the right way.

View Senator Leatherman’s letter announcing the committee. »