Dominion Energy’s acquisition of SCANA Corporation in January 2019 marked a significant expansion of its operations in South Carolina, positioning the company as a dominant player in the state’s energy sector. However, this growth also brought to light the challenges of managing an aging electrical infrastructure, as tragically highlighted by the death of Jeunelle Robinson in Wagener, South Carolina, in 2023. This article explores Dominion’s entry into South Carolina, the state of its inherited infrastructure, the Wagener tragedy, and the broader implications for public safety and legislative action.
Dominion Energy’s Entry into South Carolina
Dominion Energy, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, entered South Carolina’s energy market through the $14.6 billion acquisition of SCANA Corporation, a Fortune 500 energy company based in Cayce, South Carolina. Finalized in January 2019, this acquisition allowed Dominion to take over SCANA’s primary subsidiary, South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G), which served approximately 730,000 electric customers and 380,000 natural gas customers in the state at the time.
The deal expanded Dominion’s footprint to provide regulated electricity to about 3.6 million homes and businesses across Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and natural gas to 500,000 customers in South Carolina.
Before this acquisition, Dominion had limited operations in South Carolina, primarily through its 2000 acquisition of Consolidated Natural Gas Company (CNG), which included some natural gas operations in the state. The SCANA acquisition built on Dominion’s earlier rebranding in 2000 from Virginia and North Carolina Power to create a unified energy company. Through SCANA, Dominion inherited a vast infrastructure, including 19,116 miles of electric distribution lines, 3,840 miles of electric transmission lines, and power generation facilities utilizing nuclear, coal, solar, hydroelectric, oil, and natural gas sources. This infrastructure serves as the backbone of Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc., which now focuses on delivering reliable, affordable, and increasingly sustainable energy.
The State of South Carolina’s Electrical
Infrastructure
South Carolina’s electrical infrastructure, much of which Dominion inherited, includes approximately 500,000 utility poles across the state.
Many of these poles, particularly in rural areas like Wagener, date back decades, with some installed as early as the 1950s and 1960s. Aging wooden poles, often untreated or deteriorated, are vulnerable to rot, weather events, and accidents, posing significant safety risks. According to industry estimates, vehicles knock down an average of two utility poles per day in South Carolina, yet Dominion replaces only a small fraction of these, citing cost and logistical challenges. The company’s replacement efforts often prioritize high-traffic areas, leaving rural communities with outdated infrastructure.
Dominion’s infrastructure also includes low-hanging utility lines, many of which are not adequately maintained or inspected. The lack of a public database tracking the age and condition of utility poles exacerbates the issue, as this information is privately held by Dominion and other utility providers like Comporium. Without transparency, residents and local governments have limited ability to assess the safety of their local infrastructure.
The Wagener Tragedy
The vulnerabilities of South Carolina’s aging electrical infrastructure were tragically exposed on August 16, 2023, in Wagener, a small town of about 600 people in Aiken County. Jeunelle Robinson, a 31-year-old social studies teacher at Wagener-Salley High School, was walking south on Main Street during her lunch break when a northbound tractor-trailer snagged low-hanging utility lines. These lines were connected to a 70-year-old rotted utility pole, also attached to a 1967 Comporium telephone line that was no longer in active service. The impact caused eight poles to be pulled from the ground, with one breaking and launching into the air, striking Robinson. Surveillance footage captured her attempt to dodge the falling pole before it hit her, causing fatal blunt force trauma. She died shortly after at a nearby hospital.
The tragedy sparked outrage and led to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Robinson’s family in March 2024 against Dominion Energy and Comporium. The lawsuit alleged negligence, recklessness, and willful misconduct, claiming that both companies failed to maintain safe infrastructure. It noted that the town clerk of Wagener had emailed Dominion on July 10, 2023, about leaning poles and low-hanging wires, but Dominion deflected responsibility, stating that the issue fell to telephone or cable companies. The lawsuit further alleged that Dominion or Comporium authorized the destruction of broken pole stubs within 36 hours of the incident, potentially to obscure evidence.
The $30 Million Settlement
In August 2024, Dominion Energy and Comporium reached a $30 million out-of-court settlement with Robinson’s estate, avoiding a trial. The settlement, announced by the family’s attorney, state Rep. Justin Bamberg, was one of the largest of its kind in South Carolina. While the division of responsibility between Dominion and Comporium was not disclosed, the settlement underscored the companies’ desire to avoid a public trial that could expose further details about their infrastructure maintenance practices. Dominion issued a statement expressing condolences but noted they did not own the specific pole that struck Robinson, while Comporium expressed relief at resolving the case.
Part of the settlement funds will establish the “Jeunelle Robinson Teacher’s Hope Fund,” which will provide school supplies and support to teachers nationwide, honoring Robinson’s legacy as a dedicated educator. The settlement, while significant, raised questions about the broader state of South Carolina’s utility infrastructure and whether financial penalties alone can address systemic issues.
Broader Implications and Calls for Reform
The Wagener tragedy highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive audits and upgrades to South Carolina’s electrical infrastructure. The lack of a public database for utility pole conditions limits accountability, and the reliance on aging wooden poles—many over 50 years old—poses ongoing risks. Advocates, including Robinson’s family and attorney, have called for South Carolina legislators to mandate regular inspections and require utilities to replace outdated poles with modern, durable alternatives, such as metal poles, or to bury power lines underground. Undergrounding, while costly, could reduce risks from vehicle collisions, storms, and aging infrastructure, as seen in other states with proactive utility modernization programs.
Dominion Energy has acknowledged the need for infrastructure improvements. In 2023, the company announced plans to replace equipment over 60 years old in Wagener and began constructing a 6.5-mile 115-kilovolt transmission line in Aiken County to improve reliability. However, this project faced opposition from residents concerned about property values, health risks from electromagnetic fields, and aesthetic impacts, with protests noted in May 2025. These tensions reflect the challenges of balancing infrastructure upgrades with community concerns.
Dominion’s Broader Operations in South Carolina
Beyond the Wagener tragedy, Dominion Energy has sought to integrate into South Carolina’s communities. The company supports initiatives like volunteer events to refresh local homes and partnerships with organizations like Black Girls Run! to promote outdoor activities. It also offers jobs, such as Gas Operations Technician and Apprentice Plant Mechanic roles in Myrtle Beach and Columbia, contributing to economic development. However, incidents like the August 12, 2025, lightning strike on Dominion infrastructure in Mount Pleasant, which caused a massive fireball, further highlight the vulnerabilities of aging systems.
Dominion’s commitment to sustainability includes investments in solar power and energy-efficient programs, aligning with its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The company provides tools like the Dominion Energy app and an outage map to help customers manage accounts and report issues, but these efforts have not fully addressed concerns about infrastructure safety.
Conclusion
Dominion Energy’s entry into South Carolina through the 2019 SCANA acquisition expanded its reach but also inherited a vast, aging electrical infrastructure. The tragic death of Jeunelle Robinson in Wagener underscored the dangers of neglected utility poles and low-hanging lines, prompting a $30 million settlement and renewed calls for reform. While Dominion has taken steps to modernize, the lack of transparency and the slow pace of replacements leave communities at risk. South Carolina legislators must consider mandating comprehensive audits and infrastructure upgrades to prevent future tragedies, ensuring that the state’s electrical systems are safe, reliable, and resilient for all residents.
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