Local Non-Profit to Receive $500,000 to Help Low Income Households Save Money on Power Bills
CHARLESTON, S.C. – A local energy conservation non-profit will receive nearly $500,000 to help low income residents in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties conserve energy and save money on energy bills.
The Sustainability Institute will receive $484,345.89 in unclaimed monies from the 2021 settlement of the class action lawsuit Hearn v. Santee Cooper. The case was filed in 2017 on behalf of Santee Cooper ratepayers who paid increased and improper utility rates in connection with Santee Cooper’s cancelled construction of a coal-fired generation facility at the Pee Dee Energy Campus.
As part of the settlement agreement, 50 percent of any unclaimed funds are earmarked for energy assistance to low income individuals. The remaining 50 percent will be distributed to the South Carolina Bar Foundation to support activities and programs promoting access to the civil justice system for low income residents of South Carolina.
After vetting several organizations, attorneys representing the ratepayers selected the Sustainability Institute to provide a variety of services that will help low income residents reduce their electrical usage.
The Sustainability Institute will utilize the funding to:
- Provide 750 to 1,000 households with energy conservation education through in-person and online community workshops;
- Conduct comprehensive energy audits, including diagnostic performance testing, for 150 households;
- Perform meaningful weatherization upgrades to 150 households;
- Serve between 30 and 60 households in need of more extensive home performance upgrades; and
- Replace HVAC systems for at least five households
“The Sustainability Institute is delighted to receive this funding to assist Santee Cooper customers with energy improvements to their homes and other services that will reduce energy bills,” said Bryan Cordell, director of the Sustainability Institute. “With 1 in 4 families across our region facing energy insecurity, this is a great opportunity to help families conserve energy and generate ongoing savings at a time when so many people need this help.”
Attorneys at RPWB, along with co-counsel, filed the class action in 2017. The utility ultimately settled the litigation in March 2021 and the funds were then distributed to eligible class members. Some class members never claimed their funds or were unable to be located, leaving this leftover amount that is to be donated to the Sustainability Institute and to the South Carolina Bar Foundation.
“Now that all eligible class members have received their settlement, these unclaimed funds will be put to good use,” said RPWB attorney TAC Hargrove. “We are excited by what this money will allow the Sustainability Institute to do and the lasting impact it will make. This funding will help low income households lower their power usage and save money on their power bills for years to come.”
Our Experienced Lawyers
How can we help? Fill out the form for a free case review.
Contact Us
- Toll Free: 888.293.6883
Case Types
Mesothelioma
Worker rights / health
Criminal Defense
Consumer Protection
Drugs & Medical Devices
Personal Injury
Related Posts
Jul 08, 2025
I Was Rear-Ended: Who Is Responsible?
In most car accident cases, the driver who acted negligently is legally responsible for damages. Negligence is generally defined as failing to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. In rear-end accidents, there’s a strong legal presumption that the rear driver is at fault, because drivers are expected to maintain a safe following distance. The Rear […]
READ MOREJun 25, 2025
How Do You Prove a Wrongful Death Claim?
Losing a loved one is devastating, especially when their death was caused by someone else’s negligence or misconduct. A wrongful death claim allows surviving family members to seek justice and compensation when a person dies due to the careless, reckless, or intentional actions of another. While no amount of money can replace your loved one, […]
READ MOREJun 25, 2025
Can Prescription Medication Increase Your Car Accident Risk?
Prescription medications help millions of people manage their health issues every day. But some of these same medications could make driving much riskier, even when taken exactly as prescribed. Unfortunately, many drivers never think about this risk until it is too late and are involved in a car accident. What Makes Prescription Drugs Risky When […]
READ MOREJun 17, 2025
Steps to Take After a Loved One Dies in a Preventable Accident in Charleston
Losing someone you love is always devastating—but when that loss is caused by someone else’s carelessness, the grief is compounded by anger and unanswered questions. Whether it was a car crash, a slip and fall on dangerous property, or a fatal workplace incident, wrongful death leaves families with emotional pain and legal uncertainty. At Rogers, […]
READ MOREJun 17, 2025
Top Causes of Uber and Lyft Accidents in Charleston and How to Protect Your Rights
Charleston’s historic charm and busy tourism scene make rideshare services like Uber and Lyft a popular choice for locals and visitors alike. But with more rideshare drivers on the road comes a higher risk of crashes, and determining who’s responsible in a rideshare accident can be far more complicated than a typical car wreck. At […]
READ MOREJun 10, 2025
Road Rage and Car Accidents in South Carolina: When Aggression Leads to Injury
We’ve all experienced it: the frustration of heavy traffic, the annoyance of someone cutting you off, or the intimidation of a tailgater. That surge of adrenaline and urge to retaliate is a common human reaction. However, when these everyday frustrations escalate into dangerous and deliberate aggression, they transform into road rage. In South Carolina, where […]
READ MOREJun 10, 2025
Hit by a Distracted Driver: Your Rights and Options in South Carolina
Whether through texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio, distracted driving has turned into an epidemic on South Carolina roads. Anything that takes your mental focus off the hazards in front of you poses serious risks to everyone sharing the roadway. If you suffered injuries in an accident with a distracted driver, […]
READ MOREMay 21, 2025
What Happens if I Am in a Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver in Mt. Pleasant?
Getting into a car accident is stressful under any circumstances, but when the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, things can become even more complicated. Unfortunately, uninsured drivers are still a reality in South Carolina, including right here in Mt. Pleasant. If you’re involved in a crash with someone who lacks coverage, you may wonder how […]
READ MOREMay 09, 2025
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Charleston?
Losing a loved one is always a deeply emotional experience. When a loved one dies due to the wrongful actions of another, the pain can be compounded by the legal complexities of seeking justice. In Charleston, South Carolina, a wrongful death lawsuit allows certain individuals to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions. But who […]
READ MOREMay 07, 2025
Boiling Crab Restaurant Settlement Update
LAS VEGAS, N.V. – A class action lawsuit brought by employees of the Boiling Crab restaurant in Las Vegas, involving allegations over a tip pool, has reached a settlement on behalf of all opt-in employees. In the lawsuit, filed on October 7, 2020, plaintiffs alleged that The Boiling Crab Vegas, LLC, violated the Fair Labor […]
READ MOREApr 30, 2025
Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC Attorneys Selected to the 2025 South Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC is pleased to announce that Charles W. Patrick, Jr., Esq., Elizabeth Middleton Burke, Esq., Kenneth J. Wilson, Esq., and Deon Tedder, Esq. have been named to the 2025 South Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Charles W. Patrick, Jr., Esq. is a nationally recognized personal injury and products […]
READ MOREMar 04, 2025
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries from Car Accidents
The spinal cord is the pathway the brain uses to relay messages for movement to the rest of the body. The spinal cord needs to be fully intact for it to effectively serve its purposes. A spinal cord injury affects movement below the area that has been damaged. Depending on the severity of the injury, […]
READ MOREMar 04, 2025
Warrenville Teen Killed in Hit-and-Run
A 14-year-old Warrenville girl is dead following a hit-and-run on Augusta Road on Friday. The teen was a passenger on a dirt bike traveling north on the sidewalk when it struck a mailbox and crashed onto the roadway. Authorities are not yet certain whether the girl died from the bike crash or was struck by […]
READ MOREFeb 28, 2025
MDL Formed for Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Cases: Judge M. Casey Rodgers to Lead Litigation
A Multi-District Litigation (MDL) has been formed to address thousands of lawsuits filed across the country involving Depo-Provera and its alleged link to meningioma brain tumors. This follows a new study revealing a significant connection between the prolonged use of birth control injections and the development of these tumors. On Feb. 7, the Judicial Panel […]
READ MOREFeb 13, 2025
Permanent Scarring from Car Accidents: What You Should Know
You may be left with several lasting effects from a car accident. Even long after the crash, you may never fully heal. Not only can you be affected physically, but your appearance may also be changed. If you have suffered scarring and disfigurement in a car accident, it is considered part of the ‘non-economic’ damages […]
READ MORE