Charleston legislators did
a good deed for a Johns Island businessman and struck a blow against
over-regulation by the state board governing LP gas storage and handling.
Passage of a bill that eliminates requirements on LP dealers that Attorney
General Henry McMaster believes is of questionable constitutionality
should set the stage for a performance review of the agency as requested
by Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston.
The legislative action nullifies a storage requirement for gas dealers
that critics say was aimed at limiting competition in the state. That
means that Henry Minshew can continue operating his family business, Fas
Gas, while sharing a storage tank with another company.
Sen. McConnell says that his review of Mr. Minshew's case leads him to
believe that the board's rules and operations need further examination.
Local legislators were able to step in to help save Mr. Minshew's
business, but a legislative rescue from a state regulatory agency
shouldn't have been required.
The Legislative Audit Council should honor the senator's request for an
audit of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board to ensure that it hasn't
otherwise overstepped its bounds.
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