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Santee Cooper is not diverse or inclusive. I Support a sale to NextEra.
March 23, 2021
We, the undersigned, send this open letter to the South Carolina General Assembly because we are disappointed with the management of Santee Cooper in its present form. In the words of Senator Hugh Leatherman of Florence and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, “I see no choice but to divest the state of what is increasingly not an asset but an albatross”.
Santee Cooper is known for over a decade’s worth of missteps, debt and failed projects that have cost ratepayers billions of dollars. Their blunders and mistakes are numerous, and we have waited years for solutions and resolutions that never happened.
Because of the debacle of the failed VC Summer Nuclear Plant in Fairfield County and the enormous mismanagement practices, Santee Cooper is nearly $7 billion in debt.
There is the failed Pee Dee Coal Plant near Florence that ratepayers are having to pay for because Santee Cooper abandoned the project in 2009 after spending $362 million on equipment, thousands of acres of land and materials on the site and upkeep costs millions every year.
Finally, there is the matter of diversity and inclusion. Santee Cooper’s claim of 21% minority representation on its executive staff is not a true representation of our state’s population. Procurement opportunities are questionable for minority businesses.
We understand that NextEra Energy, the largest green, renewable energy company in the USA with a proven track record of diversity, inclusion and community investment has offered a bid to purchase. Therefore, we urge the General Assembly to sell Santee Cooper.
Bishop F. C. James, Retired
AME Church, SC
20 NAACP Branches
(see list)
Dr. Donald Greene, President
Baptist Educational & Missionary Convention of SC
Anderson Branch NAACP
Dominic Gibbs, President
Bamberg County NAACP
Dr. Gerald Wright, President
Batesburg/Leesville NAACP
O. Levy, President
Camden/Kershaw NAACP
Kenneth Carter, President
Chesterfield Branch NAACP
James Barber, President
Clarendon County Branch NAACP
Willie Briggs, President
Colleton County Branch NAACP
Edward Williams, President
Florence Branch NAACP
Jerry Keith, Jr, President
Darlington Branch
Anthony Hall, President
Columbia Branch NAACP
Oveta Glover, President
Western York Branch
Steve Love, Board Member
Georgetown Branch NAACP
Marvin Neal, President
Greenville Branch NAACP
Rev. J. Flemming, President
Laurens County NAACP
Rev. David Kennedy, President
Manning Branch NAACP
Bobby Fleming, President
North Charleston Branch
Phillip Scott, President
Orangeburg Branch NAACP
Barbara Johnson-Williams, President
Pageland Branch NAACP
Ural Bennett, President
Spartanburg Branch NAACP
Michael Brown, President
West Spartanburg NAACP
Rev. Eddie Parks, President
Santee Cooper lacks the culture to become the diverse, inclusive and clean energy utility the community needs.
NextEra Energy is the largest generator of wind and solar energy in the U.S., and has been recognized for its diversity. If Senators approve a sale, NextEra will wipe out Santee Cooper’s $6 billion debt, so customers won’t have to pay it.
Gullah Geechee Leadership Institute
I’ve devoted my life to effecting positive change and am committed to continuing the journey. Santee Cooper is no longer an asset for our communities. We need an energy company like NextEra that will provide economic lift to the African American community and all South Carolina, provide lower rates and greener energy. I urge you to join me in supporting the sale of Santee Cooper to NextEra.
Jim Felder
Lead Advocate
Gullah Geechee Leadership Institute
Because South Carolinians deserve low rates, greener energy and diversity…
ENERGY
NextEra is the world’s largest producer of wind and solar energy.
RATES
NextEra’s utility Florida Power & Light boasts rates 30% lower than the national average, lower than Santee Cooper’s rates.
DEBT
Santee Cooper’s $6+ billion debt will be erased by NextEra. Customers won’t be forced to pay for Santee Cooper’s mismanagement.
DIVERSITY
NextEra has been recognized multiple times as one of America’s best employers for diversity. In 2019 the company awarded $640 million in contracts to minority and disadvantaged female and veteran owned businesses.
