Parker v. South Carolina Public Service Commission

Lewis, Chief Justice:

The State Consumer Advocate appeals from an order of the trial judge which affirmed an order of the South Carolina Public Service Commission granting a rate increase to Duke Power Company. Only two issues are presented for review. One challenges the action of the Commission in including the Company’s operating reserve as a part of the rate base; and the other challenges the Commission’s approval of a change in the Company’s nuclear depreciation fate from 3.57% to 4.0%.

The public utility’s rate base represents the total amount of funds provided by investors and upon which…