By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | Candidates for four of the state’s utility regulator commission’s seven seats will be screened and voted on beginning Jan. 7 and ending Jan. 9.
The S.C. Public Service Commission administers state law and regulates policy regarding utilities. The State Regulation of Public Utilities Review Committee, a panel of legislators and citizens, screens commissioners.
The seats align with congressional districts in the state. Candidates being screened are for Seat 1 (currently held by John E. Howard), Seat 3 (currently held by commission Chairman Comer H. Randall), Seat 5 (currently held by Swain E. Whitfield), and Seat 7 (currently held by G. O’Neal Hamilton).
Neither Howard nor Hamilton appear on the schedule for screening. See the agenda here.
- Previous coverage: Big changes could be coming to PSC in 2020.
- Previous coverage: Lawmakers irked by PSC’s solar decision.
- Related: PSC mulls ban on utilities selling customer data. Read more.
In other S.C. news:
Ed funding formula reviewed. A Senate Education Committee subcommittee will meet 1 p.m. Jan. 8 in room 308 of the Gressette building on the Statehouse grounds in Columbia to review the mechanics and methodology of the state’s education funding formula. The panel is tasked with determining revisions necessary to meet state objectives for public education. See agenda.
It’s hot, getting hotter. An analysis by The Post and Courier found that seven of the hottest years on record for Charleston occurred in the last 10 years. And weather forecasters say that trend will continue. (Think of what it means in Columbia, which may be the hottest city in the state, for various reasons.) Read more.
Fees rising at state parks . State park admissions are increasing around the state in 2020. All 47 state parks will see changes, according to service staff. Park admissions will be going up by a few dollars per person with $3 per adult being the highest increase. The annual pass options have changed, but the highest level costs the same at $99. Read more.
2020 candidate calendar
Throughout the campaign season, we are working to keep South Carolina informed of candidate events in the state. Have an event you want us to know about? Email us at 2020news@statehousereport.com.
Booker makes stops in Rock Hill, Walterboro. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey is making a two-day swing through the state. He will speak 8-9:30 p.m. Jan. 3 at Rock Grove African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Rock Hill, and speak at a town hall with state Sen. Margie Bright-Matthews of Colleton County 10:30 a.m.-noon Jan. 4 at Colleton Civic Center in Walterboro.
Debate to be held in Charleston. Democratic candidates will convene in Charleston on Feb. 25 for a nationally-televised debate that is four days before the state’s primary. No word yet on tickets, but we’re told that the national party will be in charge.
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