Public Service Commission

103-390. Acceptable Standards. As criteria of accepted good safety practice of the electrical utility, the commission shall use the applicable provisions of the standards listed in regulation 103-361. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 32, Issue No. 5, eff May 23, 2008.

103-391. Protective Measures. A. Each electrical utility shall exercise reasonable care to reduce the hazards to which its employees, its customers and the general public may be subjected. B. The electrical utility shall give reasonable assistance to the ORS in the investigation …

103-392. Safety Program. Each electrical utility shall adopt and execute a safety program, fitted to the size and type of its operations. As a minimum, the safety program should: a. Require employees to use suitable tools and equipment in order that they may perform their work in…

103-40. Railroads Required to Furnish Information. Every railroad corporation operating in this State shall at all times, on request, furnish the Public Service Commissioners any information required by them concerning the condition, management and operation of its railroads. Pur…

103-400. Authorization of Rules. A. Section 58-5-210 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, provides: ‘‘That the Public Service Commission is hereby, to the extent granted, vested with power and jurisdiction to supervise and regulate the rates and service of every ‘Public U…

103-401. Application of Rules. 1. Jurisdiction. These rules shall apply to any person, firm, partnership, association, establishment, or corporation which is now or may hereafter become engaged as a public utility in the business of furnishing gas to any gas customer within the S…

103-402. Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in these rules, shall have the meaning indicated: 1. Commission. ‘‘Commission’’ means the Public Service Commission of South Carolina. 2. Consolidated Political Subdivision. A ‘‘consolidated political subdivision’’ me…

103-403. Authorization for Rates and Charges. A. All rates, tolls and charges proposed to be put into effect by any gas utility shall be first approved by the commission before they shall become effective, unless they are exempt from such approval by statute, Order of this commis…

103-404. Territory and Certificates. A. No public utility supplying gas to the public shall hereafter begin the construction or operation of any gas facility, or of any extension thereof, without first obtaining from the commission a certificate that public convenience and necess…

103-405. Utility Rules and Regulations. Each gas utility shall adopt such rules, regulations, practices, service requirements, terms and conditions, etc. as may be necessary in the operation of gas service to its customers which shall be provided to the ORS and filed with and sub…

103-41. Carload and Ton Defined. A carload shipment is a consignment of at least the specified minimum carload weight of one class of freight, at one time, by one consignor, from one point of consignment to one consignee, at one point of delivery. A ton is 2,000 pounds unless oth…

103-410. Location of Records and Reports. All records required by these rules or necessary for the administration thereof, shall be kept, at the discretion of the utility, either within this State or in an accessible cloud-based or other electronic records retention system. These…

103-411. Retention of Records. 1. Retention Period. Unless otherwise specified by the commission or by regulations governing specified activities, all records required by these rules and regulations shall be preserved for two years. 2. Test and Inspection Records. A complete reco…

103-412. Data to be Filed with the Commission and Provided to the ORS. 1. Annual Report. Each gas utility operating in this State shall make an annual report to the commission and ORS giving such information as the commission may direct. This Annual Report shall include the same …

103-413. Inspection of Gas Systems. A. Each gas system shall, upon request of the commission or ORS, provide to the ORS a statement regarding the condition and adequacy of its plant, equipment, facilities and service in such form as the commission or ORS may require. B. Each gas …

103-414. Interruption of Service. Each gas utility shall keep a record of any condition resulting in any interruption of service affecting its entire system or major division thereof, or any major community or any important division, consisting of at least fifty customers, of a c…

103-415. Incidents. A. Each gas system shall, as soon as possible, report to the ORS each incident occurring wherein there exist either: (a) serious injury or death of any person; (b) property damage in excess of $5,000, in the gas system’s commercially reasonable estimation, inc…

103-417. Meter History. Each gas utility shall maintain records of the following data, where applicable, for each billing meter for so long as such meter is in possession of the gas utility and for at least twelve months thereafter. a. Date of purchase. b. The complete identifica…

103-418. Meter Test Records and Reports. A. Each gas utility shall maintain records of at least the last two tests made of any billing meter. The record of the meter test made at time of the meter’s retirement shall be maintained for a minimum of two years. Test records shall inc…

103-42. Assessing Rates Where Not Otherwise Provided for. Between points where rates are not provided for, the Commission will, on application of shipper, consignee, or railroad interested, make reasonable rates for immediate use, or to correct charges previously assessed for whi…

103-420. Meter Requirements. 1. General. Service shall be measured by meters furnished by the gas utility unless otherwise authorized by the commission, and such meters shall maintain the degree of accuracy as set forth in regulation 103-423. 2. Measurement. Where applicable, eac…

103-421. Meter Reading. Unless extenuating circumstances prevent, meters shall be read and bills rendered on a monthly basis of not less than twenty-eight days nor more than thirty-four days. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 32, Issue No. 5, eff May 23, 2008.

103-422. Meter Reading Data. The meter reading data maintained by the gas utility shall include: a. Customer’s name and service address. b. Identifying number and/or description of the meter(s). c. Meter Readings. d. If the reading has been estimated. e. Location of meter on prem…

103-423. Meter Accuracy and Condition. A. Every gas meter, whether new, repaired, or removed from service, shall be in good order before being installed for the use of any customer and shall be correct to within the limits prescribed in regulation 103-475(5). B. Care shall be tak…

103-424. Meter Seal. Immediately after the pre-installation tests or field tests of a billing meter or other billing device, a seal or locking device shall be affixed or other means provided, where practical, designed to discourage or reveal tampering or theft of gas. HISTORY: Am…

103-425. Configuration and Location of Meter. A. No customer’s meter shall be configured and/or installed in any location where it may reasonably be expected to be exposed to damage, impairment or in any unduly dirty or inaccessible location. B. Outdoor meters shall be used where…

103-426. Change in Character of Service. A. In order that the gas utility may provide a proper service facility and metering installation, the customer shall advise the gas utility of the expected service requirements and shall also advise the gas utility of any increase or decre…

103-43. Posting of Rates. Railroads in this State are required to keep ‘‘posted’’ in all their stations copies of rate schedules with tables showing distances between all stations, applying on their respective roads. It shall be the duty of all such railroads to obtain as needed,…

103-430. Customer Information. Each gas utility shall: a. Maintain up-to-date maps, plans, or records of its entire transmission and distribution systems, with such other information as may be necessary to enable the gas utility to advise prospective customers, and others entitle…

103-431. Customer Deposits. A. Each gas utility may require from any customer or from any prospective customer, a deposit intended to guarantee payment of bills for service, if any of the following conditions exist: 1. The customer’s past payment record to a gas utility shows del…

103-432. Amount of Deposit. A. A maximum deposit may be required up to an amount equal to an estimated two months (sixty days) bill for a new customer or a maximum deposit may be required up to an amount equal to the total actual bills of the highest two consecutive months based …

103-433. Interest on Deposits. A. Simple interest on deposits at the rate of the current effective interest rate per annum prescribed by Order of the South Carolina Public Service Commission shall be paid by the gas utility to each customer required to make such deposit for the t…

103-434. Deposit Records. Each gas utility shall keep records as to show: a. The name and address of each depositor. b. The amount and date of the deposit. c. Each transaction concerning the deposits. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 32, Issue No. 5, eff May 23, 2008.

103-435. Deposit Receipt. Each gas utility shall issue a receipt of deposit to each customer from whom a deposit is received and shall provide means whereby a customer may establish his claim if his receipt is lost. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 32, Issue No. 5, eff M…

103-436. Deposit Retention. A. Deposits shall be refunded completely with interest after two years unless the customer has had two consecutive thirty-day arrears, or more than two non-consecutive thirty-day arrears, in the past twenty-four months. B. A gas utility shall not be re…

103-437. Unclaimed Deposit. A record of each unclaimed deposit must be maintained for at least one year, during which time the gas utility shall make a reasonable effort to return the deposit. Unclaimed deposits, together with accrued interest, shall be turned over to the South C…

103-438. Deposit Credit. Where a customer has been required to make a guarantee deposit, this shall not relieve the customer of the obligation to pay the service bills when due. Where such deposit has been made and service has been discontinued for reason of non-payment of bill o…

103-439. Customer Billing. The gas utility shall bill each customer as promptly as practicable following the reading of the meter and render a receipt of payment upon request. 1. New Service. Meters shall be read at the initiation and termination of any service and billing shall …

103-44. Regulating Charges for Shorter Distances. The railroads will not be required to regulate their charges for shorter distances by their proportion of through rates between terminal or junctional competitive points. Pursuant to § 58-17-2000, S. C. Code 1976.

103-440. Adjustment of Bills. If it is found that a gas utility has directly or indirectly, by any device whatsoever, demanded, charged, collected or received from any customer a greater or less compensation for any service rendered or to be rendered by such gas utility than that…

103-441. Applications for Service. 1. Method. Applications for service may be verbal or in writing. 2. Obligation. The applicant shall, at the option of the gas utility, be required to sign a service agreement or contract. In the absence of such a service agreement or contract, a…

103-442. Reasons for Denial or Discontinuance of Service. Unless otherwise stated, a customer shall be allowed a reasonable time in which to correct any discrepancy which may cause discontinued service. Service may be denied or discontinued for any of the following reasons: a. Wi…

103-443. Insufficient Reasons for Denying Service. The following shall not constitute cause for refusal of service to a present or prospective customer: a. Non-payment for services by a previous occupant of the premises to be served, unless such previous occupant shall benefit fr…

103-444. Right of Access. Authorized agents of the gas system shall have the right of access to premises supplied with gas service at reasonable hours, for the purpose of reading meters, examining facilities and pipes, maintenance, repair, observing the manner of using service an…

103-445. Complaints. A. Complaints concerning the charges, practices, facilities, or service of the gas utility, shall be investigated promptly, thoroughly and professionally by the gas utility. Each gas utility shall keep a record of all such complaints received, which record sh…

103-446. Contracts, Rate Schedules, Rules and Regulations. Copies of all schedules of rates for service, contracts for service which involve rates, forms of contracts for service, charges for service connections and extensions of mains, and all rules and regulations concerning th…

103-447. System Which Gas Utility Must Maintain. Each gas utility, unless specifically relieved by the commission from such obligation, shall operate and maintain in safe, efficient and proper conditions all of the facilities and equipment used in connection with the regulation, …