The SCSBCC is joining the S.C. Consumer Advocate’s Office in pushing back on a 7.3% average increase filed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. The Administrative Law Court is scheduled to hear the case starting October 8, 2012. Representing SCSBCC from the Injured Workers Advocates will be Bill Smith of Chappell, Smith & Arden and Kevin Holmes of the Steinberg Law Firm.
“Since 2005 Bill Smith and Kevin Holmes have formed
an effective team with Elliott Elam, the state Consumer Advocate, to
successfully fight against proposed increases in workers’ compensation insurance
costs to businesses,” said Mr. Knapp.
“Because of our efforts, Administrative Law Judges have ordered up to
44% decreases from the insurance industry’s requests.”
On November 27 the S.C. Public Service Commission
will begin hearing a 6.61% overall electricity rate hike being sought by
SCE&G, which serves 668,000 residential and commercial customers in South
Carolina.
Mr. Knapp will officially intervene in the hearing
to oppose the hike as he has done effectively since 2004. He has worked closely with the S.C. Office of
Regulatory Staff in these rate cases resulting in proposed hikes being reduced
by up to 50%. Mr. Knapp does not need
legal representation in these hearings because he is intervening personally as
a residential and commercial customer of SCE&G.
“SCE&G’s parent company, SCANA, saw its earnings
increase by 29% in the second quarter of this year,” said Mr. Knapp. “In addition the company is justifying its
request by saying it needs a return on equity almost 0.5% higher than the
current rate for Duke Energy. Small
businesses simply want to tell SCE&G “NO”.
Fortunately I will have that opportunity.”+(124x76).jpg)
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