Some members to receive second settlement payment from class-action agreement

If you were a member of Horry Electric Cooperative for any period between Jan. 1, 2007–Jan. 31, 2020, you may receive an unexpected bill credit or check this month.

These credits (for amounts less than $50) and checks (for amounts greater than $50) are the result of a class-action settlement involving the failed nuclear construction project at V.C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station. The funds are being paid by Santee Cooper, a state-owned utility that partially owned the project.

The lawsuit argued that consumers should not have to pay for the nearly $9 billion in costs that were sunk into the failed project. Horry Electric was neither a party to the case nor had any ownership in the project. However, our members were affected because some of the power we deliver to you is purchased from Santee Cooper.

Before the lawsuit went to trial, the parties came to a settlement agreement which called for $520 million to be returned to customers of Santee Cooper and members of South Carolina’s electric cooperatives. This means some of our members are due a share of the settlement based on their power use during the referenced 13-year period. Eligible members have already received the first of two settlement payouts in 2020.   

Horry Electric Cooperative did not calculate the payments. They resulted from a court-approved process after the settlement agreement was reached. Those who became members after Jan. 31, 2020, are not included in the settlement. If you have any questions regarding the settlement process, you may contact the Settlement Administrator:

• Cook v. SCPSA, Class Action Administrator, P.O. Box 3127, Portland, OR 97208-3127 (Please include your name and your return address on all correspondence.)
• 1(833) 947-0894 (Toll-Free)
• info@SanteeCooperClassAction.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. I noticed a credit on my bill/received a check in the mail for something related to a class-action settlement. What is this about?
   • A class-action lawsuit was filed in 2017 following the failure of the construction project for two nuclear units at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station in Fairfield County. Santee Cooper and SCE&G (now Dominion Energy) were the owners of the project.
   • The lawsuit argued that consumers should not have to pay for the nearly $9 billion in costs that were sunk into the failed project. Horry Electric was not a party to the case.
   • Before the lawsuit went to trial, the parties came to an agreement and settled the suit. The settlement agreement called for $520 million to be returned to customers of Santee Cooper and the members of electric cooperatives.
2. How were the settlement payments issued?
   • Cooperative members who were due more than $50 received a check in the mail. Cooperative members who were due less than $50 received a credit on their electric bill. Previous cooperative members who were due a settlement payment received a check at the mailing address Horry Electric had on file as of November 2022.
3. Is the settlement payment I got this month all there is?
   • Yes. The first settlement payment members received in 2020 represented about 70% of the amount coming to you. A second settlement payment for the remaining 30% is being applied between late February and March.