South Carolina

South Carolina Public Service Commission

(PSC)

services regulated
Electricity Natural Gas Gas Pipelines and Safety Rail Sewage/Wastewater Telecommunications Water

More on PSC

Commissioners

Number of Seats7

Florence Belser

Independent
Chair | Elected
Associated District2
803-896-5180
Term Start
Term End
Years of Service

Stephen "Mike" Caston

Republican
Commissioner | Elected
Associated District3
803-896-5100
Term Start
Term End
Years of Service

Carolyn "Carolee" Williams

Independent
Commissioner | Elected
Associated District1
803-896-5100
Term Start
Term End
Years of Service

Thomas J. ""Tom"" Ervin

Republican
Commissioner | Elected
Associated District4
803-896-5259
Term Start
Term End
Years of Service

Headen B. Thomas

Republican
Commissioner | Elected
Associated District5
803-896-5100
Term Start
Term End
Years of Service

Delton W. Powers, Jr.

Republican
Commissioner | Elected
Associated District7
803-896-5100
Term Start
Term End
Years of Service

Justin T. Williams

Independent
Commissioner | Elected
Associated District6
803-896-5180
Term Start
Term End
Years of Service

Commissioner Selection Details

Selection Method Elected
Chairperson Selection
Appointment Process
Term length 4 Years
Term limit
Election method Legislature
Election Cycle Staggered, Every two years (even)
Bipartisan Requirement None

Bipartisan Requirement

None

Commissioner Prequalifications There are statutory qualifications to becoming a commissioner, as follows: "(A) The commission is composed of seven members to be elected...

Commissioner Prequalifications

There are statutory qualifications to becoming a commissioner, as follows: "(A) The commission is composed of seven members to be elected by the General Assembly in the manner prescribed by this chapter. Each member must have: (1) a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from: (a) a recognized institution of higher learning requiring face-to-face contact between its students and instructors prior to completion of the academic program; (b) an institution of higher learning that has been accredited by a regional or national accrediting body; or (c) an institution of higher learning chartered before 1962; and (2) a background of substantial duration and an expertise in at least one of the following: (a) energy issues; (b) telecommunications issues; (c) consumer protection and advocacy issues; (d) water and wastewater issues; (e) finance, economics, and statistics; (f) accounting; (g) engineering; or (h) law. (B) The review committee may find a candidate qualified although the candidate does not have a background of substantial duration and expertise in one of the eight enumerated areas contained in subsection (A)(2) of this section if three-fourths of the review committee vote to qualify the candidate and provide written justification of their decision in the report as to the qualifications of the candidates. (C) The qualification provisions of subsection (A) of this section do not apply to the reelection of a commissioner elected by the General Assembly on March 3, 2004, so long as there is no break in service. "

PUC Jurisdiction and Enabling Authority