COLUMBIA, SC — Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading national consumer advocate on energy issues, today released a statement from CEA President David Holt about the organization’s concern with recent public comments that may have been submitted without permission in South Carolina:

“Over its 13-year history, Consumer Energy Alliance often provides our members and the public opportunities to weigh-in online with comments on energy issues that could impact household energy prices.  In each instance, the commenter must enter their name, address, email and zip code and affirmatively approve a comment letter.

“Recently, CEA learned about a petition letter in South Carolina that was submitted to our system on behalf of a local individual apparently without their permission. It appears to be false information. We are deeply concerned about this potential activity and are investigating it thoroughly. We have submitted a request, along with accompanying data, to the proper authorities in the State of South Carolina asking that this issue be examined.

“Consumer Energy Alliance strongly believes that it is vital for the public to communicate directly with policymakers on important public policy issues and is proud of our efforts to provide platforms which allow the public to legitimately engage in public debate. We are very concerned with any instance where an individual falsely files a comment in an attempt to influence the actions of policymakers – particularly when that individual has utilized a grassroots vehicle provided by Consumer Energy Alliance.

“Our public discussions related to energy are becoming increasingly discordant, with some anti-energy groups more frequently using illegal or dangerous tactics, such as defacing public property, threatening violence, breaking into facilities, shutting down energy delivery stationsstaging unruly protests and publicly berating private citizens. Unfortunately, this latest incident may be yet another effort to quash public input and discussion about energy policy and its impact on families and businesses.

“As we work with South Carolina officials to review this incident, we will continue to verify existing submissions to ensure a credible, valid open process that welcome all voices in the energy discussion and serves to help South Carolinians meet their most basic energy needs.”

CEA Letter Requesting an Investigation from the South Carolina Attorney General

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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) brings together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America’s energy future. With more than 500,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households across the country. We believe energy development is something that touches everyone in our nation, and thus it is necessary for all of us to actively engage in the conversation about how we develop our diverse energy resources and energy’s importance to the economy. Learn more at ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org.

Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org