The meltdown was in SCANA leadership

Forthright leaders admit their mistakes. But today ethics and morality are considered old-fashioned, like mud flaps on a submarine.

One cannot fault SCANA for seeking a favorable deal for its investors, but the 2007 law that made it easier for the company to charge ratepayers for nuclear reactors is way out of line, unbalanced. I have deep roots in this industry, but this is too much. This is greed on a rampage; arrogance on parade.

Missing character is costing ratepayers money every month. It is time for the SCANA board of directors to accept responsibility for its decisions and admit the obvious. First, it took advantage of ratepayers. Then it hired a dubious contractor unequal to the task. Adequate financial back-up and warranties from Westinghouse/Toshiba were AWOL. Now the company blames its in-house decisions on the outside contractor it hired.

In stock investment parlance, S.C. utilities are known to enjoy a favorable rate environment; they usually get their requests granted. The legislators who supported the 2007 law that made this even worse should be named and shamed. They violated the public’s trust. They deserve a retirement party.

We need utility leaders and legislators who are candid and worthy of our trust.