(A) Except as otherwise specified in this article, all procedural requirements that apply to general rate proceedings by law or regulation shall apply to proceedings and combined proceedings, to revised rates proceedings, and to the judicial review of orders issued under this article. The requirements related to the form and content of applications in general rate proceedings, however, only shall apply to proceedings or combined proceedings which include an application for new electric rates under Section 58-27-860 and only shall apply to that part of the application or combined application which is filed under Section 58-27-860.
(B) As to combined proceedings, the procedural requirements related to general rate proceedings shall control over any inconsistent provisions in other statutes; provided, however, that provisions of Section 58-33-140 of the Utility Facility Siting and Environmental Protection Act related to parties and appearances shall apply to proceedings involving facilities located in this State to the extent parties seek to appear to raise issues arising under that act.
(C) In proceedings to review revised rates orders, no further notice to the public, customers, and others is required additional to that provided upon filing of the proceeding or combined proceeding. In proceedings to review revised rates orders, the utility's revised rates filing shall serve as the application and the utility must be considered to be the applicant.
(D) In proceedings and combined proceedings, the utility shall have the burden of proving that the decision to build the plant was prudent, and shall have the burden of proof as to all matters on which the commission is required to enter findings under Section 58-33-270(A), (B), (C), (D), and (E). Without in any way limiting the conclusive effect of determinations under Section 58-33-225 and Section 58-33-275, in cases where this statute allows a party to challenge the prudency of any transaction, cost, or decision of the utility, that party shall be required to make a prima facie case establishing imprudence, and thereafter the burden of proof shall shift to the utility to demonstrate the prudence of the transaction cost, or decision by a preponderance of the evidence.
(E) In proceedings and combined proceedings, the deadlines contained in Section 58-27-870(B) and (C) shall be nine months.
HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 16, Section 2, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on May 3, 2007).
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers
Chapter 33 - Utility Facility Siting And Environmental Protection
Section 58-33-10. Short title.
Section 58-33-20. Definitions.
Section 58-33-140. Parties to certification proceedings; limited appearances; intervention.
Section 58-33-150. Record of proceedings; consolidation of representation of parties.
Section 58-33-160. Decision of Commission.
Section 58-33-170. Opinion of Commission.
Section 58-33-180. Additional requirements regarding construction of a major utility facility.
Section 58-33-185. Additional requirements regarding acquisition of a major utility facility.
Section 58-33-190. Additional requirements regarding purchase of a major utility facility.
Section 58-33-210. Citation and applicability of article.
Section 58-33-220. Definitions.
Section 58-33-250. Application for baseline review; contents.
Section 58-33-260. Combined application; contents.
Section 58-33-275. Base load review orders; parameters; challenges; recovery of capital costs.
Section 58-33-277. Reports; contents; on-going monitoring by Office of Regulatory Staff.
Section 58-33-280. Requests for approval of revised rates.
Section 58-33-295. Office of Regulatory staffing; expert witnesses.
Section 58-33-298. Application of limitations on rate filings in Section 58-27-870(E).
Section 58-33-310. Appeal from final order or decision.
Section 58-33-320. Jurisdiction of courts.
Section 58-33-410. Authority of other agencies or local governments; application of other laws.
Section 58-33-430. Annual reports shall be furnished by public utilities.