COLUMBIA, S.C. --
Bills in the General Assembly would change the way the Public
Service Commission regulates utilities in South Carolina.
The seven-member panel considers rate increases for power
companies and regulates the telecommunications industry.
Its members are elected by lawmakers and are each paid more
than $75,000 a year.
Questions were raised last year about the qualifications of
candidates for the commission and its ability to protect the
public's interest.
One
bill would prevent family members of legislators from being
elected to the commission. It also would require commissioners
to have a college degree and experience in a field related to
regulating utilities.
The measure also would create a separate office within the
commission to act as an advocate for the public.
The PSC deals with complex issues that directly affect
residents, said Rep. James Smith, D-Columbia, sponsor of a
reform bill in the House.
"The public ought to have confidence that we are appointing
the most qualified and best candidates we can to fill those
positions," Smith said.
Last year, elections to the commission were held up as
questions were raised about family ties and qualifications.
Four commission candidates were related to members of the
General Assembly.
Also, Mignon Clyburn, chairwoman of the PSC, is the
daughter of U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.
The PSC staff acts as both advocates on issues and advisers
as the commissioners make decisions.
Lawmakers asked the Legislative Audit Council to determine
whether the staff and commissioners improperly talked with
companies being regulated.
The report is expected Tuesday.
Sen. Tom Moore, D-Clearwater, co-sponsor of a Senate bill
on the commission, said he thinks a better structure should be
put in place.
"The effort is to define, refine and build the needed
barriers between the commission and staff so that the public
has confidence and respect for the system," Moore said.
Mignon Clyburn would not talk about the pending bills, but
said the PSC is looking at changes of its own.
A report by the commission last fall recommends creating
separate staffs to advise commissioners and to act as
advocates for parties petitioning the PSC.
"If you are a conscientious person and steward, you are
always trying to put things in place to better your agency's
processes," Clyburn said.
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