"With temperatures plunging, South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., the dominant utility provider in the state, said it was aware of the hardships presented by having no heat, and said it works with its customers in an effort to avoid service terminations.
When a customer does not pay his or her utility bill, a number of steps are taken to address the situation, the company said.
Customers are given multiple opportunities to pay a “past due” bill before service is disconnected, according to SCE&G spokesman Eric Boombower.
Service disconnects – especially those that coincide with inclement weather – are handled on a case-by-case basis, he said, and include a consideration of immediate weather forecasts and a review of the customer’s payment history.
“The last step – and the least desirable – is to disconnect that customer’s service,” Boombower said.
SCE&G said it does not disconnect services to customers if temperatures are forecast to average 32 degrees or below over an ensuing 48-hour period."
