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Santee Cooper helps customers power down |
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Friday, 21 November 2008 |
SCBIZ Daily Staff
COLUMBIA -- Santee Cooper has launched a new Power Down information campaign aimed at helping customers manage their electric bills.
The effort is to educate customers regarding increased fuel costs and what they can do to lessen the impact. The fuel charge is the portion of a customer’s monthly bill that is directly tied to the cost of coal or other fuel sources used to produce the electricity.
The utility is communicating and sharing information and energy savings tips that customers can use to offset the fuel cost impact. The new “Power Down” Web site is a focal point of the education campaign and offers detailed energy savings information.
The cost the utility pays for coal has roughly tripled in the past year, and, though it still remains the most affordable fuel source for generating power, those increased costs are beginning to affect customers’ bills.
Santee Cooper customers are seeing small increases now, and the bulk of the fuel cost impact will affect customers in 2009.
“We feel it’s important to communicate with our customers now in providing them with practical, easy tips to mitigate their bills,” said Zack Dusenbury, vice president of retail operations. “Working with our customers to help them save energy has always been a hallmark of our customer service.”
Santee Cooper has taken several actions to delay an increase to its fuel charge, such as making substantial budget cuts, not filling job vacancies and not replacing vehicles. Energy audits of major Santee Cooper facilities have been conducted, and anticipated energy savings from increased energy efficiency also will affect costs. The largest impact was attributable to the purchase and stockpiling of extra coal when prices dipped in 2007.
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