The state's Office of Regulatory Staff is the chief agency is currently writing an energy plan

In 1992, South Carolina enacted the South Carolina Energy Efficiency Act, which required The South Carolina Public Service Commission to adopt procedures that encouraged public utilities providing gas services subject to the jurisdiction of the commission to invest in cost-effective energy efficient technologies and energy conservation programs. On December 12, 2008, the Office of Regulatory Staff petitioned to establish a docket to Implement the Requirements of Section 1307 (State Consideration of Smart Grid) and section 532 (Energy Efficiency Programs) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The PSC opened Docket No. 2008-477-EG. In 2009, Piedmont Natural Gas submitted an application to the South Carolina PSC which outlined its various energy efficiency programs. The PSC approved a settlement in this proceeding on May 27, 2010. On June 30, 2009, South Carolina Electric and Gas Co. (SCE&G) filed an application with the PSC which sought approval of a suite of gas energy efficiency programs. The PSC approved a settlement in this proceeding on July 15, 2010.

In 2005, South Carolina passed the Natural Gas Rate Stabilization Act (RSA), which was designed to reduce fluctuations in customer rates by allowing for more efficient recovery of the costs regulated utilities incur in expanding, improving and maintaining natural gas service infrastructure. In lieu of a general rate case, Piedmont Natural gas and SCE&G have filed annual base rate updates since 2005 pursuant to the RSA. The annual rate update enables the Company to earn a return on actual plant investments made thru the prior March 31.

Piedmont Natural Gas owns 2 CNG stations in South Carolina – 1 public and 1 private in South Carolina. WEC Energy Corp. subsidiary Trillium CNG owns and operates stations in Greenville and Charleston. Piedmont Natural Gas plans to lease space at a Spinx convenience store in Anderson, S.C., to set up a compressed natural gas fueling station that will be open to the public.

In 2005, South Carolina passed the Natural Gas Rate Stabilization Act, which was designed to reduce volatility of customer rates by allowing for more efficient recovery of the costs that regulated utilities incur in expanding, improving and maintaining natural gas service infrastructure to meet the needs of customers. Piedmont Natural Gas and South Carolina Gas and Electric Operate under rate stabilization tariffs. Gas weather normalization adjustment (WNA) mechanisms are in place for Piedmont Natural Gas and South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G) that apply to residential and small commercial customers during winter months.