2013 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers
CHAPTER 27 - ELECTRIC UTILITIES AND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

• SECTION 58-27-10. Definitions.
• SECTION 58-27-20. Chapter inapplicable to certain areas.
• SECTION 58-27-30. Corporations subject to chapter even before commencing operations.
• SECTION 58-27-40. Compliance with orders, decisions, directions, rules and regulations.
• SECTION 58-27-50. Assessments on electric utilities to pay expenses of Commission.
• SECTION 58-27-60. Repealed by 2006 Act No. 318, Section 233, eff May 24, 2006.
• SECTION 58-27-70. Employment of staff; suits or actions arising under chapter.
• SECTION 58-27-80. Annual report of Commission.
• SECTION 58-27-90. Effect of chapter on constitutional rights and powers of municipalities.
• SECTION 58-27-100. Effect of chapter on municipal police regulations and ordinances.
• SECTION 58-27-110. Effect of chapter on interstate commerce.
• SECTION 58-27-120. Effect of chapter on duties declared in Broad River case.
• SECTION 58-27-130. Condemnation powers of electric companies, State authorities and electric cooperatives.
• SECTION 58-27-140. General powers of Commission.
• SECTION 58-27-150. Promulgation of rules and regulations.
• SECTION 58-27-160. Investigation and examination of condition and management of utility.
• SECTION 58-27-170. Joint hearings and joint or concurrent orders; joint investigations.
• SECTION 58-27-180. Valuations and revaluations of property of utilities.
• SECTION 58-27-190. Inspection of property; audit of books; examination of employees of utilities.
• SECTION 58-27-200. Inspection of tax returns and other information.
• SECTION 58-27-210. Actions to prevent or discontinue violations of law or orders of Commission.
• SECTION 58-27-220. Enforcement and administration of chapter.
• SECTION 58-27-230. Exercise of other powers of Commission not excluded.
• SECTION 58-27-240. Construction of South Carolina Rural Development Act of 1996.
• SECTION 58-27-250. Restrictions on interruption of electric service to residential customer for nonpayment of bill; exceptions.

ARTICLE 3. FRANCHISES AND PERMITS

• SECTION 58-27-410. Procedure for granting of exclusive municipal franchises to furnish light.
• SECTION 58-27-415. Franchise fee not to be paid or collected under "Stateline Accounts"; calculation of franchise fee.
• SECTION 58-27-420. Franchises and permits shall be indeterminate.
• SECTION 58-27-430. Exchange of old limited permit or franchise for indeterminate permit.
• SECTION 58-27-440. Revocation of indeterminate permit for inadequacy of service.
• SECTION 58-27-450. Continuance of service on expiration of franchise.

ARTICLE 5. SERVICE RIGHTS OF ELECTRIC SUPPLIERS

• SECTION 58-27-610. Definitions.
• SECTION 58-27-620. Service rights of and restrictions on electric suppliers.
• SECTION 58-27-630. Service rights and restrictions in areas within consolidated political subdivisions.
• SECTION 58-27-640. Assignment of service areas.
• SECTION 58-27-650. Reassignment of service areas or portions thereof.
• SECTION 58-27-660. Supplier may furnish service in area served by another.
• SECTION 58-27-670. Service in area becoming part of municipality; premises located within boundaries of electric cooperative or corridor.
• SECTION 58-27-680. Effect of continuation of service.
• SECTION 58-27-690. Act 431 of 1984 not affected by Act 173 of 1987.

ARTICLE 7. RATES AND CHARGES

• SECTION 58-27-810. Rates shall be just and reasonable.
• SECTION 58-27-820. Schedule of rates, service rules and regulations and service contracts shall be filed with Commission.
• SECTION 58-27-830. Utility shall not charge rates different from those in schedule.
• SECTION 58-27-840. Preferences and unreasonable differences in rates shall not be made; classifications may be established.
• SECTION 58-27-850. Investigation and change of rates by commission.
• SECTION 58-27-860. Proposed rate changes; prior approval.
• SECTION 58-27-865. "Fuel cost" defined; estimated fuel costs; rebuttable presumption; duties of commission.
• SECTION 58-27-870. Commission action on proposed rate changes; refund of excessive charges.
• SECTION 58-27-880. Repealed by 1983 Act No. 138, Section 21, eff June 15, 1983.
• SECTION 58-27-890 to 58-27-910. Repealed by 1983 Act No. 138 Section 21, eff June 15, 1983.
• SECTION 58-27-920. Schedule of rates put into effect after preliminary investigation.
• SECTION 58-27-930. Petition for hearing on change in rates; suspension of new rates pending hearing.
• SECTION 58-27-940. Order confirming, modifying or vacating former order; service; effective date of rate changes.
• SECTION 58-27-950. Petition for hearing as prerequisite to bringing cause of action challenging order.
• SECTION 58-27-960. Reparation orders; suits to enforce.
• SECTION 58-27-970. Participation in profits arising from efficiency.
• SECTION 58-27-980. Contracts subject to control and approval of Commission.
• SECTION 58-27-990. Contracts with other utilities.
• SECTION 58-27-1000. Charges for electricity established by municipal contract or franchise.
• SECTION 58-27-1010. Commission shall not regulate contracts made by municipalities.
• SECTION 58-27-1020. Capitalization for rate-making purposes.
• SECTION 58-27-1030. Sales of appliances shall not be considered in rate making.
• SECTION 58-27-1040. Certain sections cumulative.

ARTICLE 9. EXTENSION AND ABANDONMENT OF SERVICE; TRANSFER OF PROPERTY

• SECTION 58-27-1210. Extension of facilities; commission approval.
• SECTION 58-27-1220. Extensions by municipalities.
• SECTION 58-27-1230. Certificate of public convenience and necessity shall be obtained prior to construction, operation or extension of system; exceptions.
• SECTION 58-27-1240. Prerequisites to issuance of certificate.
• SECTION 58-27-1250. Issuance or refusal of certificate or modified certificate.
• SECTION 58-27-1260. Order preliminary to issuance of certificate.
• SECTION 58-27-1270. Cease and desist order when construction or operation proceeds in absence of certificate.
• SECTION 58-27-1280. Order where construction or extension causes unreasonable interference.
• SECTION 58-27-1290. Abandonment of service.
• SECTION 58-27-1300. Disposition of properties, powers, franchises or privileges; certain out-of-state property may be sold.
• SECTION 58-27-1310. Lease of property and franchises.
• SECTION 58-27-1320. Municipality may purchase property operated under indeterminate permit.
• SECTION 58-27-1330. Notice of municipality's intent to acquire property of utility.
• SECTION 58-27-1340. Determination of just compensation for purchase of electrical utility.
• SECTION 58-27-1350. Payment of compensation and transfer of property after approval in municipal election.
• SECTION 58-27-1360. Acquisition of property of supplier of electricity when area annexed to or incorporated as municipality.

ARTICLE 11. ADEQUACY OF SERVICE, REPORTS, ACCOUNTS, AND THE LIKE

• SECTION 58-27-1510. Service shall be adequate, efficient and reasonable.
• SECTION 58-27-1520. Ordering improvement of service.
• SECTION 58-27-1530. Certain wires shall not be erected near public road.
• SECTION 58-27-1540. System of accounts.
• SECTION 58-27-1550. Annual depreciation; depreciation reserve.
• SECTION 58-27-1560. Office of utility; removal of books and papers from State.
• SECTION 58-27-1570. Production of books and records.
• SECTION 58-27-1580. Furnishing information and reports; forms.
• SECTION 58-27-1590. Meters to measure electricity going into or out of State; records and reports thereof.

ARTICLE 13. ISSUANCE AND SALES OF SECURITIES

• SECTION 58-27-1710. Securities shall not be issued without approval of Commission; exceptions.
• SECTION 58-27-1720. Application for approval.
• SECTION 58-27-1730. Investigation and hearing as to value of issue of securities; certificate of authority.
• SECTION 58-27-1740. Limitation of amount and use of proceeds of issue.
• SECTION 58-27-1750. Certain sales of securities by or to employees prohibited.
• SECTION 58-27-1760. Permissible sales of securities to employees.

ARTICLE 15. COMMISSION HEARINGS, INVESTIGATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS

• SECTION 58-27-1910. Promulgation of rules governing pleadings, practice and procedure.
• SECTION 58-27-1920. Rules governing hearings and proceedings.
• SECTION 58-27-1930. Additional hearings; notice thereof.
• SECTION 58-27-1940. Petition alleging improper act by electrical utility.
• SECTION 58-27-1950. Service of copy of complaint.
• SECTION 58-27-1960. Issuance and service of subpoenas and other process.
• SECTION 58-27-1970. Service of pleadings and notices.
• SECTION 58-27-1980. Time, place and notice of hearing.
• SECTION 58-27-1990. Dismissal of petition without hearing.
• SECTION 58-27-2000. Administration of oaths; examination of witnesses; certification of official acts.
• SECTION 58-27-2010. Contempt proceedings.
• SECTION 58-27-2020. Hearing before one or more commissioners.
• SECTION 58-27-2030. Employment and duties of special agent or examiner.
• SECTION 58-27-2040. Persons entitled to be heard at hearing and to introduce evidence.
• SECTION 58-27-2050. Depositions.
• SECTION 58-27-2060. Self incrimination; immunity from prosecution.
• SECTION 58-27-2070. Copies of official documents and orders as evidence.
• SECTION 58-27-2080. Compensation of witnesses.
• SECTION 58-27-2090. Charges by affiliated interests.
• SECTION 58-27-2100. Findings and orders of Commission.
• SECTION 58-27-2110. Service of orders on parties.
• SECTION 58-27-2120. Effective date of orders.
• SECTION 58-27-2130. Rescission or amendment of orders or decisions.
• SECTION 58-27-2140. Records of proceedings shall be kept.
• SECTION 58-27-2150. Rehearings.

ARTICLE 17. REVIEW OF COMMISSION ORDERS

• SECTION 58-27-2310. Action to vacate order of commission; limitations.
• SECTION 58-27-2320. Stay or suspension of Commission's order pending review.
• SECTION 58-27-2330. Repealed by 2006 Act No. 387, Section 54, eff. July 1, 2006.
• SECTION 58-27-2340. Burden of proof shall be on complainant.

ARTICLE 19. PENALTIES

• SECTION 58-27-2410. General penalty.
• SECTION 58-27-2420. Every violation shall constitute a separate offense.
• SECTION 58-27-2430. Penalties shall be cumulative; suit for one penalty shall not bar another suit.
• SECTION 58-27-2440. Actions to recover penalties.
• SECTION 58-27-2450. Principals responsible for act of agents.
• SECTION 58-27-2460. Penalties not applicable to municipality but to officers, agents or employees personally.

ARTICLE 21. TERMINATION OF ELECTRIC SERVICE DUE TO NONPAYMENT

• SECTION 58-27-2510. Definitions.
• SECTION 58-27-2520. Termination procedures; contents.
• SECTION 58-27-2530. Third-party notification program.
• SECTION 58-27-2540. Disconnection when public safety emergency exists.
• SECTION 58-27-2550. Promulgation of regulations.
• SECTION 58-27-2560. Private right of action; duty of care.