New PSC members to be elected after reforms

COLUMBIA, S.C. - After years of delays, legislators on Wednesday will elect new members to the state panel that regulates utilities.

Elections for the Public Service Commission had been delayed as the state Senate pushed for tougher qualifications for commissioners.

The reform debate started two years ago. The screening committee for PSC candidates and a legislative audit of the agency raised questions about the qualifications of some commissioners and candidates.

Reform advocates were concerned about legislators' family members seeking the high-paying jobs and cited instances when regulators improperly interacted with utility representatives.

The questions prompted a push from the Senate for an overhaul. Senators refused to schedule elections until tougher qualifications and new rules forbidding private talks between commissioners and utilities were set.

Meanwhile, incumbents were left in their jobs after their terms had ended.

Last month, House and Senate negotiators reached a compromise. They agreed future PSC candidates must have a college degree and experience related to their regulatory work.

Lawmakers also will require a new regulatory staff to operate separately from the commissioners. That staff will be run by an executive director who is recommended to the governor by a legislative screening committee.

However, as a political compromise, incumbents and other candidates won't have to meet those standards in Wednesday's elections.

Seventeen candidates are vying for the seven seats. Candidates for three seats are unopposed. They are:

_ PSC Chairwoman Mignon L. Clyburn, daughter of U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, running to represent the 6th District.

_ David A. Wright, former state representative and former Irmo mayor, running for the 2nd District seat being vacated by James Buddy Atkins.

_ G. O'Neal Hamilton, former utilities chairman for Bennettsville, running for a 5th District seat being vacated by H. Clay Carruth.

Five candidates are running in the 1st District, and four candidates are seeking the 4th District seat.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com