CAA in Action: Eunice Lehmacher for a Just Energy Future
Every South Carolinian has a vision for their community–a marriage of hopes, dreams, and needs that are somewhere within reach–yet affecting change to make their vision a reality can seem impossible. CVSC is bridging that gap with the Conservation Advocates Alliance (CAA), where we help community members speak out on the environmental issues they are most passionate about by providing tools, sharing knowledge, and instilling confidence.
Eunice Lehmacher is an Upstate resident who cares deeply about her community and is frustrated by local decisions that are negatively impacting her family, friends, and neighbors, as well as the surrounding environment. As a Clemson resident since 2002 and a dedicated social worker in the community, Eunice has worked closely with low-income clients and neighbors for years and is intimately aware of how difficult it already is for many people to keep up with rising electric bills. So when she heard that the CAA was holding a training to help advocates speak out for South Carolina’s energy future, she jumped at the opportunity to learn more.
The CAA training was hosted by Energy Project Manager Jalen Brooks-Knepfle, who spoke about an upcoming public hearing at the Public Service Commission (PSC), where the state agency would decide whether to grant Duke Energy Progress another rate increase. The rate hike would increase an average household’s energy bill by about $10 per month, even though Duke had a record-breaking profit year in 2024.
To Eunice, the injustice was undeniable; this rate increase would line the pockets of utility executives while leaving community members to choose between keeping their lights and heat on and other necessities like rent, food, and medicine.
Once Eunice realized she could use her voice to speak on behalf of members of her community, including retired residents, those with high medical bills, single mothers, and people with low incomes, she knew she had to do it. Armed with resources and best practices from the CAA, she was prepared to share her perspective and highlight community impact before the PSC. Eunice testified that Duke must expand clean energy options to protect the families she works with each day from debilitating electric bills. After sharing her steadfast belief that “renewables are the future, and fossil fuels are an antiquated, ancient technology,” she left the hearing feeling she had made a real impact and that she had been heard by Commissioners.
Eunice testified that the rate increase would negatively impact her community and asked Duke to invest in renewable energy generation in South Carolina to help lower energy rates in the future. She also shared her steadfast belief that “Using fossil fuels and building fossil fuel infrastructure not only pollutes, it prevents the savings to customers that other states and countries are already benefiting from because they have invested more heavily in solar and wind.” Eunice left the hearing feeling she had made a real impact and that she had been heard by Commissioners.
With help from local advocates like Eunice at the public hearing, Duke ultimately settled for a reduced rate increase, a lower cap on profits, and required energy efficiency improvements, which will help lower electric bills across the board.
This outcome was made possible by community members who spoke out and attended the hearing–and their help will be needed again. Duke Energy and other power companies can now request rate increases each year, and power companies also bring critical long-term energy plans to the PSC for approval. Within the next four months, the PSC will decide the fate of Duke’s plan to build a massive new gas plant in Anderson County, and community members will have a chance to share their thoughts at a public hearing (that’s yet to be scheduled).CVSC will continue to inform CAA members of opportunities to share their unique perspectives and personal experiences to protect our air, land, water, and communities. To follow Eunice’s lead and gain the necessary tools, knowledge, and confidence to amplify your voice, we encourage you to join the Conservation Advocates Alliance. Thank you for your commitment to protecting the South Carolina you love.