Please mark your calendars to call-in on Thursday, March 19 for this very important hearing! Remember to follow the instructions below and PREREGISTER if you would like to voice your concerns to the PSC.
What: Public Service Commission Night Hearing When: Thursday, March 19 Where: Online at https://www.scetv.org/live/public-service-commission Time: 6:00 p.m.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF SOUTH CAROLINA CLERK’S OFFICE RESCHEDULED NOTICE OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC NIGHT HEARING DOCKET NO. 2019-281-S
APPLICATION OF PALMETTO UTILITIES, INC. FOR AN INCREASE OF RATES AND CHARGES FOR THE PROVISION OF SEWER SERVICE AND MODIFICATIONS TO CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PROVISION OF SEWER SERVICE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Public Service Commission, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. Regs. 103-817 and Commission Order No. 2020-62, has scheduled a virtual public night hearing in response to the above referenced Docket. The virtual public night hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2020.
STEP ONE: IF YOU WISH TO TESTIFY AT THE VIRTUAL PUBLIC NIGHT HEARING ON THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020, YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER TO TESTIFY. TO PRE- REGISTER, YOU MUST DO THE FOLLOWING: STARTING ON FRIDAY, MARCH 13 AT 8:15 A.M. AND ENDING ON THURSDAY, MARCH 19 AT 3:45 P.M., PLEASE CALL 803-896-2639 AND PRE- REGISTER BY LEAVING YOUR NAME, PHYSICAL ADDRESS
REMEMBER YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER TO TESTIFY.
STEP TWO: THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS FOR CUSTOMERS TO CALL IN: TO TESTIFY OR FOR NON-WITNESSES TO LISTEN VIA AUDIO ONLY. YOU MAY CALL IN ANYTIME PRIOR TO 6:00 PM ON THURSDAY, MARCH 19. THE CALL IN OPTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
TESTIFIERS: (888) 612-1053 NON-WITNESSES (AUDIO ONLY): (800) 410-4177
STEP THREE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WATCH THE LIVESTREAMED VIRTUAL PUBLIC NIGHT HEARING ON THURSDAY, MARCH 19 AT 6:00 P.M., PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO WATCH: https://www.scetv.org/live/public-service-commission.
Persons who wish to testify before the Public Service Commission regarding the Application may do so at this hearing. Individuals shall be permitted a maximum of three (3) minutes for oral presentations. All testimony will be given under oath and entered into the record of the case subject to objection by the parties.
Please note that the Commissioners will be present to listen to your testimony and statements regarding this Application. The Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits the Commissioners from answering questions regarding this Application or discussing this case with you individually.
Persons seeking further information about the Commission’s procedures should contact the Commission at (803) 896- 5100 or visit its website at www.psc.sc.gov.
Palmetto Utilities, Inc. (the Company) has filed an Application with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (the Commission) for an increase of the Company’s rates and charges for the provision of sewer service and modifications to certain terms and conditions of the provision of its service. The Company is a public utility, as defined by S.C. Code Ann. § 58-5-10(4) (2015), providing sewer service to the public for compensation in certain areas of Richland and Kershaw counties, South Carolina, pursuant to rates set by the Commission in Docket No. 2017- 228-S.
Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 58-5-240 (2015) and S.C. Code Ann. Regs. 103-512.4.A and 103-503 (2012), the Company requests that the Commission approve an increase in its monthly sewer service rates and the adoption of a charge for tampering with Company facilities and equipment. The Company also seeks modifications to certain terms and conditions of its rate schedule, including circumstances when the proposed tampering charge may be imposed and the adoption of language limiting the Company’s liability for interruption of, or failure to provide, service in certain circumstances.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN MONTHLY RATES AND CHARGES ARE SET FORTH BELOW
(The complete rate schedule is available from the Company at the address below and on the Commission’s website at www.psc.sc.gov)
Palmetto Utilities Residential Monthly Charges Current Proposed Residential monthly charge Per single-family house, condominium, villa, or apartment unit $52.10 $66.62
THE COMPANY STATES IN ITS APPLICATION THAT IT WOULD BE WILLING TO CONSIDER A PHASE-IN OF APPROVED ADDITIONAL ANNUAL REVENUE OVER SOME PERIOD OF TIME TO LIMIT THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED RATE ADJUSTMENT.
*Charges for commercial establishments served by the Company are based upon single family equivalency (SFE) ratings set using wastewater treatment plant capacity design loading factors established in S.C. Code Regs. 61-67, Appendix A.
**All commercial customers will pay based on a minimum SFE rating of one (1), which is $66.62 per month. Some commercial customers will have minimum SFE ratings greater than one (1).
If the Application or Petition in this case contains a request for adjustment of rates, the rates are subject to potential modification by the Commission during the course of this case.
Persons seeking further information about the Commission’s procedures should contact the Commission at (803) 896- 5100 or visit its website at www.psc.sc.gov.