BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—Berkeley Electric’s CEO Dwayne Cartwright recently appeared on The Bryan Crabtree Show to discuss the new regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Clean Power proposal is designed to greatly reduce carbon dioxide emissions generated by coal-fired power plants in an effort to slow down climate change.
“Climate change, fueled by carbon pollution, supercharges risks to our health, our economy, and our way of life. EPA is delivering on a vital piece of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan by proposing a Clean Power Plan that will cut harmful carbon pollution from our largest source–power plants,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy in a recent press release.
These new guidelines have yet to take effect. In fact, it could take several years; however, representatives for power companies across the country are not wasting time speaking out against them—Cartwright included.
“We do understand the EPA regulations,” stated Cartwright. “We understand the issues with the environment and we’re very much concerned with taking care of the environment.”
Berkeley Electric currently serves 87,000 customers throughout the tricounty.
“On the safety side, we understand the value and importance of clean air. We continue to look at the production of fossil fuels in a safe, reliable way. And yes, we do need to continue to address the carbon emissions. We’re not just there yet as far as technology goes.”
According to Leisa Stilley, Manager of Economic Development for Berkeley Electric, if BEC gets rid of its current coal-based plants the average electric bill could go up 54 percent.
“So that mean’s about an $80 increase on your monthly electric bill,” she told Crabtree on the air.
Cartwright states that’s a price his customers can’t afford to pay.
“My members have single, family members on fixed incomes. I have young couple who are both working, trying to survive,” he explained. “I know the impact that this rate increase will have.”
Cartwright stated that he’s hoping that the EPA and coal-powered plants can eventually reach a compromise.
“What we’re trying to do is a common sense approach—just not in South Carolina but across the nation,” he explained. “We’re not opposed to looking at solar. It’s expensive right now, and the reliability is not there. Central Santee Cooper has a 3 megawatt solar farm. We’re utilizing that to learn.”
On February 11, 2014, a widespread ice storm caused the largest outage in the Cooperative’s history that Cartwright says could have been made worse under the new EPA’s guidelines.
“Had we taken the regulations that we had now, without having reliable base-load energy, about 30-40 percent of that energy that we were using would not have been available,” he said. “We would have had massive blackouts as a result of that.”
Officials for Berkeley Electric and other energy companies across the nation are urging customers to voice their concerns about the new regulations by calling their lawmakers and visiting action.coop.
“Let them hear from us. It does work when people participate,” stressed Cartwright.
Prior Story:
BEC electric bills could skyrocket under new EPA rules
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