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What’s Happening With Dominion Energy’s Rates?

Dominion Energy South Carolina has asked the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) for a general rate increase

James Agens,

AARP South Carolina

Published March 11, 2026

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What’s happening with Dominion Energy’s rates?

Dominion Energy South Carolina has asked the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) for a general rate increase that could start as soon as July 2026. Here’s what the company is requesting for residential customers:

About a 12.7% increase for a “typical” household using 1,000 kWh a month — about $20 more every month, or $240 a year.
A higher profit level for the company — from 9.94% to 10.50% — and the ability to adjust rates each year to stay at that profit level.
A higher Basic Facilities Charge (the amount you pay before you use any electricity), going from $9.50 to about $13 per month. This hits people who use less power — often older adults living alone or households with low income — the hardest.
Changes to line items for energy efficiency programs and storm damage reserves. Even with those changes, overall bills would still rise.

If approved, this increase would affect more than 820,000 households statewide. For people on fixed or limited incomes, higher bills can mean tougher choices about food, medications, housing and caregiving.

Why this matters to you

According to the AARP South Carolina flyer on the hearings, Dominion’s request would mean:

Higher bills: Families could pay around $20 more each month.
Households carrying more of the load: Regular customers may end up covering more costs while large companies pay relatively less.
More profits without clear benefits: Dominion boosts shareholder returns, but it’s not clear what improvements you’d see on your bill or in your service.

That’s why it’s so important for everyday customers — especially people 50-plus and their families — to show up and speak up.

Who decides? What the Public Service Commission does

The Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSC) is the state agency that decides how much certain utility companies, like Dominion Energy, are allowed to charge customers. When a utility wants to raise rates, commissioners act like judges. The increase cannot take effect unless the PSC approves it.

In a rate case, the PSC:

Receives the request from the utility (Dominion Energy).
Holds public hearings so customers can share how the proposal would affect them.
Reviews evidence and testimony from the company, consumer advocates, and the public.
Issues a final decision approving, reducing, or rejecting parts of the request.

Your comments become part of the official record the PSC considers when making its decision.

When and where you can speak: Public hearing schedule

AARP South Carolina created a flyer to help people find and attend the hearings. Here are the dates, locations and addresses from that flyer:

North Charleston

Date & Time: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Charleston County Council Chambers
Address: 4045 Bridge View Drive, 2nd Floor, North Charleston, SC 29405

How to understand this rate increase and your bill

Before you speak, it helps to know what’s actually changing and how it shows up on your bill.

Look for these parts of your Dominion Energy bill:

Basic Facilities Charge
This is the fixed fee you pay every month, even if you use very little electricity.
Dominion wants to raise this from $9.50 to about $13 per month — an increase you’ll pay regardless of how much energy you use.
Energy Use (kWh)
This is the part of the bill that changes with how much electricity you use, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Dominion is asking for about a 12.7% increase for a typical household that uses 1,000 kWh a month.
Other charges and riders
You may see line items for energy efficiency programs or storm damage reserves.
These may be adjusted, but even with those changes, overall bills would still go up.

What to bring to a hearing:

Your most recent Dominion bill (or a few months of bills).
Notes on how much you pay now and what another $20 a month would mean for you.
A short list of trade-offs you’d have to make if your bill goes up (for example, cutting back on groceries, medications, or visits with family).

What to expect at a public hearing

Public hearings are designed so regular people can talk directly to the commissioners who make the decision.

At a hearing, here’s what usually happens:

Sign in when you arrive.
There will be a sign-up sheet if you want to speak. Arrive a little early so you have time to register.
Wait until your name is called.
A hearing officer or staff person will call speakers one by one.
You’ll have a time limit.
Many hearings give speakers about 3 minutes (sometimes less) to share their comments, so keep it short and focused.
Your comments are on the record.
Everything you say is recorded and becomes part of the official case file the PSC reviews.
You do not need to be a technical expert.
Commissioners want to hear how the proposed increase would affect real people’s lives.

How to tell your story: A simple 3-part script

You don’t have to write a speech, but having a few notes can help. Here’s an easy structure you can follow:

1. Introduce yourself

Say your name.
Mention where you live (for example, “I live in North Charleston” or “I’m from Bluffton”).
If you’d like, you can add something short about yourself, such as “I’m retired,” “I’m caring for my spouse,” or “I work and support my grandchildren.”

Example:
“Good evening. My name is Patricia Williams. I live in Columbia and I’m retired and caring for my 85-year-old mother.”

2. Explain how your electric bill affects your household

Talk in plain language about how you budget around your energy bill:

How much is your current monthly bill, on average?
Do you already turn off lights, keep the thermostat higher in summer or lower in winter, or take other steps to save?
Have you fallen behind on your bill or had to ask for a payment plan?
What other important expenses do you juggle — like medications, groceries, housing, caregiving or transportation?

Example:
“Right now my bill runs about $140 a month. I already keep my thermostat at 78 in the summer and 66 in the winter, and I’ve switched to LED bulbs. I’m also paying for my mother’s prescriptions and my own. There isn’t much room in my budget.”

3. Describe the impact of the proposed increase

This is where you connect the $20 a month increase to real choices you’d have to make:

Would a higher bill mean skipping a prescription, putting off a doctor visit or cutting back on food?
Would it force you to delay home repairs or reduce help for a family member?
Does it add to stress you already feel about living on a fixed or limited income?

Then, clearly state what you are asking the PSC to do.

Example:
“An extra $20 a month may not sound like much, but for me that’s one of my mother’s prescriptions or a week’s worth of groceries. I’m already doing everything I can to keep my bill low. I’m asking you not to approve the full increase and to protect customers who are living on fixed or limited incomes.”

You can close with:

“Thank you for your time and for listening.”

Tips for effective testimony

Be yourself. You don’t have to use fancy language. Speak the way you normally talk.
Stick to your experience. You don’t have to explain every detail of Dominion’s proposal. Focus on how energy costs affect your home and your community.
Be respectful. Even if you’re frustrated or angry, staying calm and respectful helps commissioners hear your message.
Bring written comments. If you’re nervous, write your remarks down and read from them. You can also hand in a copy so it becomes part of the record.
Encourage others. Invite friends, neighbors, faith communities and caregiving groups to attend and share their stories too.

Can’t attend in person? Other ways to be heard

If you can’t make it to a hearing, you still have options:

Call the Public Service Commission:
You can contact the PSC at 803-896-5100 to ask how to submit a public comment on the Dominion Energy rate case.
Submit written comments:
The PSC typically accepts comments by mail or online. Ask for the Dominion Energy rate case docket number and where to send your statement.
Write a letter to the editor:
Share how rate hikes affect you and your neighbors in your local newspaper, community newsletter or online forum.
Share the hearing information:
Use the AARP South Carolina flyer and this schedule to spread the word through churches, community centers, civic groups and social media.