Deal over reactors could eventually lower rates, report says

MORNING HEADLINES | A deal to finish two incomplete nuclear reactors in the Midlands could help erase a $2.7 billion debt that Santee Cooper has been paying off since the reactors went belly-up in 2017.

And if a third party finishes the reactors and pays Santee Cooper for its share of the project, ratepayers might get lower rates, according to this story in today’s issue of The State newspaper.

“Santee Cooper intends to use that $2.7 billion to pay down debt, which will provide rate relief to customers by reducing costs,” a Santee Cooper spokesman said in an email in the story, later adding, “it isn’t practical to be more specific this far out, but however it is implemented, using the funds to reduce debt will clearly benefit customers.”

A final deal, however, could take a couple of years.

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In recent headlines

Odd story of day: North Charleston man accused of staging robbery to get bail money. Charleston police have accused a Dollar General manager in Charleston of staging a robbery to get bail money for a friend.

Stricter abortion ban moves forward in state Senate. Months after senators rejected an earlier plan, a stricter abortion ban advanced another bill that is expected to be vetted today by the full Medical Affairs Committee.

S.C. Senate protects most monuments, bans QR codes to statues. The State Senate has approved a plan to protect nearly every historic statue, monument and building name from change or removal. It also would ban QR code stickers that can be scanned by a cellphone to get additional info about a historic figure.

Mount Pleasant passes wetlands protection ordinance. The town has adopted a local ordinance that’s tougher than federal limits that were rolled back in 2023.

Retired Brig. Gen. Maces passes away. Retired Army Brig. Gen. James Emory Mace Sr., father of gubernatorial candidate Nancy Mace, died Tuesday night. He was a former Citadel commandant.

Hicks sentenced to 15 months in North Charleston public corruption scheme. Aaron Charles-Lee Hicks is headed to 15 months in federal prison for his role in the North Charleston public corruption scheme. He pleaded guilty last year to four counts of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Input sought on fixing Charleston’s brick arch storm water system. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to hear from Charleston residents about fixing the city’s historic brick arch storm water system, a 150-year old system that needs repairing.

Lowcountry Rapid Transit project moves forward. Charleston County leaders have agreed to take land through eminent domain near the Exchange Park fairgrounds area if negotiations fall through with property owners.

James Island development concerned about proposed development. A 67-townhome development along Grimball Road Extension is moving forward in Charleston’s approval process despite controversy and opposition among neighbors.

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