SC Alphabet Soup Update
We posted a story last week about a behind-the-scenes effort to move the federally-funded South CaroYou must Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content.
We posted a story last week about a behind-the-scenes effort to move the federally-funded South CaroYou must Subscribe or log in to read the rest of this content.
14 comments
Sic, Sic, Sic
The SEO is merely a management office for the pass down of Federal funds from petroleum overcharge escrow fines as well as DOE funding for approved programs.
Has it been a plum for legislators over the years? Sure. Has it been an egg-laying golden goose for its overseers? Yes. Are we talking bazillions of dollars? No.
While similar in operation, the scope of the SEO is at best 15-20% that of the Local Government grants operation – with more strings attached.
Your core premise is correct, but don’t get your panties into an uproar over this one. Assuming you believe in spending approved federal funds in SC, this program is more about simply having a Johnson than size. And Ms Nikki is about to lose her Johnson.
My name is Eleanor K and I approve this message.
The Electric Co-Ops are into a lot this session. And much of it is not good. Stay tuned.
We don’t know 10% of the incompetence and waste perpetrated on and by Sanford’s cabinet and office of the governor agencies – the press needs to do there what they did with the Moore debacle coverage of today.
“Reorganization” needs to come to a grinding halt until the voters of SC can prove for 60 years or so that they can elect trustworthy governors.
neither this governor nor the last one are very accountable, so say again why you believe agencies need mixing up please
do we have any hope left?
change ain’t workin out too good is it?
Eggday, the only change left is jingling in the bottom of the unregulated co-ops’ deep deep pockets.
The SEO has been shuffled more than any agency in recent history.
For the youngsters who read this blog, the SEO was affiliated with Clemson and then Santee-Cooper back in the 80’s. Later it was transferred to the Governor’s Office and then to the BCB primarily to administer the PVE (Oil Overcharge) funds which came to the State as a result of a federal court decision. According to insiders, those funds have largely been expended but the “stimulus” funds provided an significant added boost recently. It is my understanding that all of the school districts and state agencies including Higher Ed. received grants for energy/ green upgrades.
The unregulated co-op’s wield enormous power in the General Assembly and it was no surprise to anyone when they selected Mr. Couick as their CEO upon his departure from the Senate where he was often referred to as the “47th Senator”. Please put the SEO in the Department of Administration then IG George Schroeder can keep an eye on their activities. If you send it to ORS, you may as well write a check to the Co-Op’S for the balance in the account and shut the d**n thing down !!
So who, exactly, does this Office of Regulatory Staff report to? Does the Governor have any say-so? Who does? What all do they “regulate?” Does anyone understand all this? And whatever happened to the Consumer Advocate who used to look out for regular ratepayers? I remember a guy named Steve Hamm doing a great job, but it is not clear that anyone looks after the common folks anymore.
The director of ORS, Dukes Scott, attorney, former PSC commissioner and Administrative Law Judge is appointed “technically” by the Governor. One name is submitted to the Governor by the PURC who serves as his Board of Directors. As mentioned before, this group is made up of legislators plus a few “citizen” members. The Governor can only accept or reject the nominee. Incidentally, he is a very capable individual.
As far as the consumer advocate is concerned, the agency(Consumer Affairs) has been reduced to a fraction of its former size through sharp budget cuts and is somewhat impotent at this point. Don’t count on any help here.
And who are the PURC people and where do they come from? Is there any accountability to voters? Why isn’t this stuff run by the Governor?
Duane, There is no accountability except between the unregulated cooperatives CEO and Mr. Scott. This ORS/alphabet soup set-up was designed to keep co-ops unregulated. Couldn’t agree more with Uncle Leo here in that the consumer is the last one (or not even) in consideration here by our “fair” leaders.
Uncle Leo, Mr. Couick’s hiring was not quite as universally approved as you described. Almost immediately afterward, the largest co-op in the state (Berkeley) dropped out of the association Couick heads and others (IE Black River) followed.
authoritarianism
We need another update on this subject
Uncle Leo:
Mike Couick was not the 47th Senator. Frank Caggiano was.
Get your facts straight.
Fred
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