What is going on at Santee Cooper? The fingerpointing over the purpose of $150,000 study of the utility's value has gone on long enough. It's time our elected officials, the utility board and Gov. Mark Sanford talked straight with ratepayers.

No reasonable explanation has been given for why the accounting arm of global banking and securities firm Credit Suisse First Boston was hired to determine Santee Cooper's value.

Sanford's spokesman Will Folks said former board Chairman Graham Edward offered the study, and the governor accepted. Folks said the governor's goal for Santee Cooper, as with any state agency, is that it run efficiently.

Interim Santee Cooper board Chairman Guerry Green of Pawleys Island said concerns about a sale of the state-owned utility are unfounded. But why is the money being spent for a study if there is no intention of selling it?

Edwards of Moncks Corner, who was fired by Sanford on Dec.10, says the study was ordered in response to Sanford's questions about how the state could get more value out of the utility.

Vernie Dove, Horry County's representative on the board, resigned soon after Edwards was fired, although he later said he simply left the board a month before his term was due to end and that he had no argument with the governor.

Meanwhile, one of the nation's top three credit rating firms, Fitch Ratings, has downgraded Santee Cooper's credit outlook. That has the potential to force the utility and its customers to pay more interest on bonds.

The governor, through his spokesman, also has been critical of State Sen. Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach. Rankin has been asking questions about Sanford's attempts to get more money from the utility for months, and last year he pushed for legislation to put a limit on extra funds that Santee Cooper could pay to the state.

Folks last week said Rankin is using "electric-rate McCarthyism" in saying rates could rise because of turnover at Santee Cooper.

Enough name calling and finger pointing. Santee Cooper customers deserve an honest and clear explanation of Sanford and the board's intent. The utility's impact on the Grand Stand economy is too great for such chicanery.