Utilities Services of South Carolina, Inc. v. South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff

This appeal from the denial of an application for a rate increase presents us with several questions about the proper role of the Public Service Commission (“PSC”) following 2004 statutory amendments altering the structure and operation of the PSC. Of particular significance are the respective roles and responsibilities of the PSC and the Office of Regulatory Staff (“ORS”), which was created by the 2004 amendments. We hold the PSC retains its fundamental role as fact-finder. In this case, the PSC acted well within its rights in requesting additional information regarding Appellant’s…