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The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff is moving to a new location. Although our telephone numbers and email addresses will remain the same, effective May 12, 2025, our new physical and mailing address will be 1901 Main St., Suite 1500, Columbia, SC 29201.


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How to Participate in Utility Cases

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  2. Consumers
  3. How The Rate Case Process Works
  4. How To Participate In Utility Cases
How to Participate in Utility Cases

Your Voice MattersAny decision that an investor-owned utility makes that might impact customers’ rates must go before the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSC).

The formal legal proceeding in which an investor-owned utility applies to the PSC for a change in rates charged to their customers is known as a rate case. Consumers are usually most interested in utilities’ request to increase rates. You can participate in a rate case and other cases before the PSC if you are a customer of the utility.

  • How to Participate in Utility Cases (PDF)
  • Sample Rate Case – Provides Utilities an Example of the Information Required to be Submitted to the PSC in Requesting an Increase in Utility Rates (PDF)
  • Rate Case Timeline – Rate Case Schedule (PDF)

3 Ways to Participate

There are 3 ways you can participate in a rate case. If you choose to file a petition to intervene, then you cannot use options 2 and 3.

File a Petition to InterveneFile a Petition to Intervene
You will be a party of record in that case before the PSC and be able to present testimony, examine witnesses, and be crossexamined. See the PSC website for Instructions on How to Intervene.

OR

File a Letter of ProtestFile a Letter of Protest
You can express your opinion to the PSC in writing. See the PSC website for Instructions on How to File a Letter of Protest.

AND/OR

Participate in a Night HearingParticipate in a Night Hearing
You can express your opinion to the PSC verbally, but you will not be able to examine witnesses. Also, the Commissioners may ask you questions. Night hearings are held at various locations throughout the state. See the PSC website for More Information on Night Hearings.

Resources

  • File a Letter of Protest with the PSC
  • PSC Docket Management System (DMS)
  • PSC Livestream
  • Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSC)
  • South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
  • Steps to File an Informal Complaint/Inquiry with the ORS

Learn more

  • Who is Involved and What are their Roles
  • Definitions
  • The Process
  • FAQs
  • Tips for Participating in a Public Hearing
  • How to Participate in Utility Cases

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Office of Regulatory Staff

1401 Main Street, Suite 900

Columbia, SC 29201

 

General Information: (803) 737-0800

Consumer Complaints and Inquiries:

(803) 737-5230 (local)

1-800-922-1531 (toll-free within South Carolina)

 


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