South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 103 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Article 3 - ELECTRIC SYSTEMS
Subarticle 4 - CUSTOMER RELATIONS
Section 103-339 - Customer Billing

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 103-339

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024

The electrical utility shall bill each customer as promptly as possible following the reading of the meter and render a receipt of payment upon request.

1. New Service. Meters shall be read at the initiation and termination of any service and billing shall be based thereon.

2. Bill Forms. The bill shall show:

a. The reading of the meter at the beginning and at the end of the period for which the bill is rendered.

b. The date on which the meter was read, and the date of billing and the latest date on which it may be paid without incurring a penalty, and the method of calculating such penalty.

c. The number and kind of units metered.

d. The applicable rate schedule, or identification of the applicable rate schedule. If the actual rates are not shown, the bill shall carry a statement to the effect that the applicable rate schedule will be furnished on request.

e. Any estimated usage shall be clearly marked with the word "estimate" or "estimated bill".

f. Any conversions from meter reading units to billing units or any information necessary to determine billing units from recording or other devices, or any other factors used in determining the bill. In lieu of such information on the bill, a statement must be on the bill advising that such information can be obtained by contacting the electrical utility's local office.

g. Amount for electrical usage (base rate).

h. Amount of South Carolina Sales Tax (dollars and cents).

i. Total amount due.

j. Number of days for which bill is rendered or beginning and ending dates for the billing period.

3. Late Payment Charges. A charge of no more than one and one-half percent (1 1/2 %) may be added to any unpaid balance not paid within twenty-five days of the billing date to cover the cost of collection and carrying accounts in arrears. This method of late-payment charge will be made in lieu of any other penalty.

4. Payment. The electrical utility, at its option for good cause, may refuse to accept a check, debit card, credit card or other electronic payment tendered as payment on a customer's account. "Good cause" must be justified by an electrical utility by evidencing a credit history problem or by evidencing insufficient funds of the utility customer or applicant.

5. Charges for Discontinuance and Reconnection. Whenever service is turned off for violation of rules and regulations, nonpayment of bills, or fraudulent use of service, the electrical utility may make reasonable charges, to be approved by the commission, for the cost incurred in discontinuing the service and reconnection and require payment for service billed and for service used which has not previously been billed.

6. Estimated Bills. Each electrical utility shall not send a customer an estimated bill, except for a good cause, where the meter could not be read or was improperly registering. In no instance will more than one estimated bill be rendered within a sixty-day period, unless otherwise agreed to by the customer.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.