South Carolina

State Profile
5,024,369
19
Utility Revenue (Millions) $983.9
$357.7
$198.2
$197.3
$230.7
Consumption (Billion Cubic Feet or BCF)

Consumption by Sector In-State

 25,196
336.2
24.6
22.9
91.6
197.1
Customers 711,016
651,840
57,762
1,414
Industry Infrastructure
n/a
24,756
Utility Gas Efficiency Program Funding
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

Sources

AGA Survey and Statistics System; AGA-CEE Natural Gas Efficiency Programs Survey: Utility expenditures for gas efficiency programs exclude data that have not been released by participating companies at the state level; U.S. Energy Information Administration; and U.S. Department of Transportation.

Statewide Elected Officials Next Election: 2022
Henry McMaster (Rep.)Governor
Pamela Evette (Rep.)Lieutenant Governor
Alan Wilson (Rep.)Attorney General
Legislature Next Election: 2020Session Dates: 01/12/16-06/02/16
Senate
Term: 4 year
President: Harvey Peeler Jr. 
Senate Majority Leader: A. Shane Massey
Senate Minority Leader: Nikki Setzler
Senate Member Breakdown
Democrats: 19
Republicans: 27
House of Representatives
Term: 2 year
Speaker of the House: Jay Lucas
Speaker Pro Tempore of the House: Thomas Pape
Majority Leader: Gary Simrill
Minority Leader: J. Todd Rutherford
House of Representatives Member Breakdown
Democrats: 44
Republicans: 80
Public Service Commission of South Carolina Commissioners: Elected by the Legislature : 4 year termChairperson: Elected by fellow Commissioners: 4 year term
Current Commissioners:
Nikki Hall, Chairman Elected in 2010; current term ends in 2018
Swain Whitfield, Vice Chairman Elected in 2008; current term ends in 2020
Butch Howard, Commissioner Elected in 2004; current term ends in 2020
Elliot Elam, Commissioner Elected in 2014; current term ends in 2018
Comer H. "Randy" Randall, Commissioner Elected in 2013; term ends in 2020
Lib Fleming, CommissionerElected in 2004; term ends in 2018
G. O'Neal Hamilton, Commissioner Elected in 2004; term ends in 2020

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.