In February 2021, Governor McMaster requested that the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) “undertake a comprehensive review of our State’s public and private power grid to evaluate its ability to withstand potential ice storms and other dangerous winter weather conditions.” On February 25, 2021, a joint resolution was introduced to encourage non-regulated utilities to cooperate with and assist the ORS in its task to review South Carolina’s public and private power grid.

On February 22, 2021, the ORS filed a motion with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSC) to open a docket seeking comments from regulated and non-regulated electric and natural gas utilities on actions they have taken, and plan to take, to ensure the resiliency of our state’s power grid.

The ORS has already contacted stakeholders about this issue. If the PSC grants the motion, the ORS requested that comments be filed within 90 days of the motion being granted. In addition, the ORS filed a letter with the PSC on February 25, 2021 emphasizing time is of the essence.

The ORS hopes to complete a draft report of findings and recommendations in September and a final report completed before year end.