The City of Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities (DPU), one of the largest municipal utilities in South Carolina, recently announced, as posted by the American Public Power Association, that as of January 1, 2024, it began purchasing power from a new provider, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC.  Since its founding in 1927, Orangeburg DPU has had essentially one provider, Dominion Energy (previously known as SCE&G or Broad River Power). DPU’s new, historic agreement with Duke is also significant as it is the culmination of decades-long efforts by Orangeburg DPU to gain access to broader wholesale market opportunities.

Before agreeing to its current fifteen-year term contract with Duke, DPU conducted an exhaustive evaluation process that took nearly two years to complete. DPU described its new partner as “an industry leader that will help them meet their energy needs now and in the future as they seek to grow and prosper their community.”  DPU said it looks forward to this partnership, adding in a statement: “We believe we have provided our customers with the mandate given to us by our City Council; safety, reliability and cost effective power” (as quoted by WLTX-TV Columbia).

Spiegel & McDiarmid has long represented Orangeburg DPU with respect to utility matters before state commissions, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and appellate courts. Attorneys Jim Horwood and Anree Little served as outside counsel to DPU on this matter.