South Carolina Public Service Commission

General information
Office Type: | Nonpartisan
Office website: | Official Link
Compensation: | $265,000
2022 FY Budget: | $6,158,198
Total Seats: | 7
Term limits: | None
Structure
Length of term: |  4 years
Leadership: | Justin Williams
Selection Method: | Appointed by General Assembly
Other South Carolina Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Comptroller • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission

## Contents

* 1 Current officeholders
* 2 Authority
* 3 Qualifications
* 4 Elections
* 5 Vacancies
* 6 Duties
* 7 Divisions
* 8 Noteworthy events
* 8.1 Rate increases following canceled power plant project
* 9 State budget
* 10 Compensation
* 10.1 2022
* 10.2 2021
* 10.3 2020
* 10.4 2019
* 10.5 2018
* 10.6 2017
* 10.7 2016
* 10.8 2015
* 10.9 2014
* 10.10 2013
* 10.11 2010
* 11 Historical officeholders
* 12 Recent news
* 13 Contact information
* 14 See also
* 15 External links
* 16 Footnotes

The South Carolina Public Service Commission is a seven-person executive board in the South Carolina state government. The commission is charged with the regulation of rates and services of public utilities.[1]

## Current officeholders[edit]

The current chairman is Justin Williams. He serves alongside Vice Chair Florence Belser and commissioners Stephen Caston, Carolyn "Carolee" Williams, Headen Thomas, Delton Powers, Jr., and Tom Ervin.[2]

## Authority[edit]

The Public Service Commission's powers, term of office, etc. are derived from 58-3-10 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.[3]

Title 58, Chapter 3, Article 1:

Continuation of Public Service Commission.

(A) The commission, as constituted under law in effect before February 18, 2004, by the Governor, is reconstituted to continue in existence with the appointment and qualification of the members as prescribed in this article and with the changes in duties and powers as prescribed in this title.

(B) Nothing in this act affects the commission's jurisdiction over matters pending before the commission, on or before February 18, 2004.

HISTORY: 1962 Code § 58-51; 1952 Code § 58-51; 1942 Code § 8199; 1932 Code § 8243; 1922 (32) 956; 1935 (39) 25; 2004 Act No. 175, § 4, eff February 18, 2004.

## Qualifications[edit]

In order to serve on the South Carolina Public Service Commission, each member must have a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from a recognized institution of higher learning requiring face-to-face contact between its students and instructors prior to completion of the academic program, an institution of higher learning that has been accredited by a regional or national accrediting body, or an institution of higher learning chartered before 1962.

Additionally, members must have a background of substantial duration and an expertise in at least one of the following:

* energy issues
* telecommunications issues
* consumer protection and advocacy issues
* water and wastewater issues
* finance, economics, and statistics
* accounting
* engineering
* law

If the review committee find a candidate qualified but they do not have the necessary duration and expertise in one of the eight areas listed above, they can still be appointed if three-fourths of the committee votes to qualify the candidate and provide written justification.[4]

## Elections[edit]

South Carolina state government organizational chart

Commissioners are elected during a joint session of the South Carolina General Assembly to a term of four years. One commissioner is elected from each of the six Commission Districts and one is elected at large.[5]

## Vacancies[edit]

In the event of a vacancy the governor may fill the position until the successor in the office for a full term or an unexpired term, as applicable, has been elected by the General Assembly.[4]

## Duties[edit]

The South Carolina Public Service Commission lists the following goals:[6]

“  |

* Seek to ensure that the citizens of the State receive appropriate levels of customer satisfaction and quality of service for those services provided through the entities regulated by this Commission.
* Seek to ensure that within a more competitive utility environment that core or captive customers with little market power are not unduly burdened with the costs of competition and are provided appropriate service and service options.
* Seek to encourage innovation through the enhancement of Commission processes and the attainment of self-actualization by Commission employees through empowering these employees to carry out their responsibilities and rewarding them for their contribution to the attainment of Commission goals.
* Seek to modify the organizational process of the Commission in such a manner as to provide for the incorporation of project teams to address specific complex short-term issues that arise as a result of the dynamic nature of the utility industry regulated by this Commission.
* Provide an open, accessible and efficient regulatory process which is fair, cost effective and unbiased, while also exploring alternative methods of regulating the entities subject to the Commission's jurisdiction.
* Seek to ensure that the regulatory process results in fair and reasonable outcomes.
* Encourage efficiency, innovation, and technological growth among regulated entities.
* For the regulated entities, facilitate the provision of safe services at levels of quality and reliability which satisfy customer needs.
* Seek to ensure that all regulated entities' services to consumers comply with all legal requirements subject to the Commission's jurisdiction.[7]

| ”

|
|

—South Carolina Public Service Commission[6]

## Divisions[edit]

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the South Carolina Public Service Commission has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

## Noteworthy events[edit]

### Rate increases following canceled power plant project[edit]

On July 31, 2017, South Carolina Electric & Gas and state-owned utility Santee Cooper announced the cancellation of a nine-year joint effort to construct two additional reactors at an existing nuclear plant in Fairfield County, South Carolina.[8] South Carolina Electric & Gas had raised its rates nine times in the preceding decade in order to cover the expense of the project, and announced on August 2, 2017, that the rate increases, which reflect an 18 percent increase in the average consumer's monthly bill, would remain permanent. Under a 2007 law, the company is entitled to raise rates to finance construction projects and to maintain the rate increases to recoup losses resulting from a canceled project unless the Public Service Commission intervenes. As of August 6, 2017, the Public Service Commission has not issued a statement on the matter.[9] On August 10, 2017, Gov. Henry McMaster and Santee Cooper announced their intent to sell the state-owned utility, allowing work on the nuclear plant to proceed. South Carolina Electric & Gas had stated before the announcement that it would be willing to scale the project back to one reactor rather than cancel it outright if Santee Cooper's participation continued. It was not immediately apparent what impact the sale would have on the project and the rate increases.[10]

On September 4, 2017, Santee Cooper submitted a copy of a February 2016 audit of the nuclear power plant proposal to Gov. McMaster, who released the report to the public the next day. The audit had identified challenges in the construction schedule, the modular design of the reactor, and concerns relating to the morale of workers on the project. Two separate committees in the state legislature had previously requested the report's release as part of ongoing investigations related to the project.[11] On September 21, 2017, both SCANA and Santee Cooper confirmed reports that they had received federal subpoenas regarding the project, followed by a September 26 announcement that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was opening its own investigation.[12] This was followed by an October 17, 2017, subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission.[13]

On November 7, 2017, South Carolina Circuit Court Judge John C. Hayes III scheduled a hearing on potential reimbursements to SCANA customers for the week of January 2, 2018.[14]

## State budget[edit]

See also: South Carolina state budget and finances

The budget for the public service commission in Fiscal Year 2022 was $6,158,198.[15]

## Compensation[edit]

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

### 2022[edit]

In 2022, each commissioner received a salary of $265,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]

### 2021[edit]

In 2021, each commissioner received a salary of $178,619, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]

### 2020[edit]

In 2020, each commissioner received a salary of $178,619, according to the Council of State Governments.[18]

### 2019[edit]

In 2019, each commissioner received a salary of $169,820, according to the Council of State Governments.[19]

### 2018[edit]

In 2018, each commissioner received a salary of $169,820, according to the Council of State Governments.[20]

### 2017[edit]

In 2017, each commissioner received a salary of $195,658, according to the Council of State Governments.[21]

### 2016[edit]

In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $189,500, according to the Council of State Governments.[22]

### 2015[edit]

In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $171,683, according to the Council of State Governments.[23]

### 2014[edit]

In 2014, each commissioner received a salary of $171,683, according to the Council of State Governments.[24]

### 2013[edit]

In 2013, each commissioner was paid an estimated $171,683. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[25]

### 2010[edit]

In 2010, the commissioners were each paid an estimated $160,272 according to the Council of State Governments.[26]

## Historical officeholders[edit]

Ballotpedia staff has been unable to find comprehensive information on all previous officeholders thus far. However, the Public Service Commission website does have information on officeholders who had official biographies on the commission's website, which was created in 1998. The following list is organized in order of the year the given commissioner left office, with the earliest departures on the top of the list.[27]

List of (some) Officeholders

Name  | Tenure
Guy Butler | 1963-1998
Rudolph Mitchell | 1973-1998
Cecil A. Bowers | 1982-1998
Warren D. Arthur, IV | 1991-1998
C. Dukes Scott | 1994-1999
Phillip Bradley | 1994-2002
William Saunders | 1994-2004
Scott Elliot | 1999-2000
James Blake Atkins | 2000-2004
Nick Theodore | 2002-2004
H. Clay Caruth | 1998-2004
C. Bob Moseley | 1998-2008
Mignon L. Clyburn | 1998-2009
Randy Mitchell | 1998-2013
David Wright | 2004-2013
Brent L. McGee | 2013-2014
Nikki Hall | 2010-2017
Elizabeth "Lib" Fleming | 2004-2018
Robert Bockman | 2017-2018
G. O'Neal Hamilton | 2004-2020
John Howard | 2004-2020
Swain Whitfield | 2008-2020
Comer H. "Randy" Randall | 2013-2020
Elliott F. Elam Jr | 2014-2019
Tom Ervin | 2018-present
Justin Williams | 2018-present
Florence Belser | 2019-present
Stephen Caston | 2020-present
Headen Thomas | 2020-present
Carolyn "Carolee" Williams | 2020-present
Delton Powers, Jr. | 2020-present

## Recent news[edit]

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms South Carolina Public Service Commission. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

South Carolina Public Service Commission - Google News

## Contact information[edit]

Public Service Commission of South Carolina
101 Executive Center Dr., Suite 100
Columbia, SC 29210

Phone: (803) 896-5100
E-mail: Contact PSC

## See also[edit]

South Carolina | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis

|
|

South Carolina State Executive Offices South Carolina State Legislature South Carolina Courts |  2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 South Carolina elections: 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 |  Party control of state government State government trifectas State of the state addresses Partisan composition of governors

* Public Service Commissioner
* Energy policy in South Carolina

## External links[edit]

| Suggest a link

|

* Public Service Commission of South Carolina

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ South Carolina Public Service Commission, "History of the Public Service Commission of South Carolina," accessed February 2, 2021
2. ↑ South Carolina Public Service Commission, "Commissioners," accessed October 20, 2020
3. ↑ South Carolina Code of Laws, " Title 58, Chapter 3," accessed January 18, 2013
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 South Carolina Code of Laws, " Title 58, Chapter 3," accessed February 2, 2020
5. ↑ Psc.SC.gov, "History of the Public Service Commission of South Carolina," accessed October 17, 2011
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 South Carolina Public Service Commission, Mission Statement and Goals
7. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
8. ↑ The State, "SCE&G, Santee Cooper abandon nuclear power project," July 31, 2017
9. ↑ The State, "SCE&G customers will continue paying for nuke project, even though it won’t be built," August 2, 2017
10. ↑ Utility Dive, "South Carolina governor says all or part of Santee Cooper is up for sale," August 10, 2017
11. ↑ Post and Courier, "Audit highlighted problems with South Carolina nuclear project a year before cancellation," September 4, 2017
12. ↑ The State, "SC nuclear debacle: an updated timeline," October 2, 2017
13. ↑ Bloomberg, "Scana Gets SEC Subpoena Related to Canceled Nuclear Project," October 17, 2017
14. ↑ The State, "Case for SCANA repaying customers for bungled nuke project to be aired," November 7, 2017
15. ↑ South Carolina State House, "State budget 2021-2022," accessed September 28, 2021
16. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
17. ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
18. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed February 2, 2021
19. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed February 2, 2021
20. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed February 2, 2021
21. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed February 2, 2021
22. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
23. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
24. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
25. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 29, 2014
26. ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed April 23, 2011
27. ↑ South Carolina Public Service Commission, "Past Commissioners," accessed February 2, 2021

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