Key Institutions
In South Carolina, several key institutions shape energy policy and utility rules.
- South Carolina Public Service Commission: Regulates investor-owned utilities and approves many rate changes.
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- State Legislature: Passes laws that set the ground rules for how utilities operate and how customers are treated.
Policy & Oversight in South Carolina
Policy choices shape how much we pay for energy and who is protected when bills are hard to afford. It also shapes at what percentage, how often, and when rates climb.
This page highlights who makes the rules and where the gaps are.
Current Legislation
Lawmakers are considering bills that could change how utilities bill customers and how big projects, like data centers, are reviewed.
- H.5282 - Utility Billing Accountability: A bill focused on clearer billing and protections for customers.
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- S. 867 - Davis Data Center Bill: A bill focused on how large data center projects are reviewed and approved.
Critical Issue: Shutoffs
One of the most serious problems is how little we know about utility shutoffs. When people cannot pay, their power can be disconnected. However, data on who is affected, when, where, and how often is often missing or incomplete.
There are also no rules that require utilities to report this type of information. A problem that is not published is hard to solve!
- Shutoffs are not consistently tracked or reported
- Lack of data hides race, place, and income disparities
- Without good data, it is harder to design fair protections
Research Links
These reports dig deeper into shutoffs and energy justice.