Announcements: Publications

Press Release
Randy Mitchell and O’Neal Hamilton Will Lead Public Service Commission Through Transition.

For Immediate Release
January 8, 2005

Contact: Charles L.A. Terreni
(803) 896-5133

Randy Mitchell	G. O’Neal Hamilton

COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Public Service Commission has elected Commissioner Randy Mitchelll, of Saluda, to serve as Chairman and G. O’Neal Hamilton, of Bennettsville, to serve as Vice Chairman to lead the agency through the transition. They will serve a two year term until July 1, 2006.

The South Carolina Public Service Commission began the new year as a restructured quasi judicial body, as the result of legislation passed last year. Act 175 of 2004 brought about major changes in the agency’s operations. Under the new law, the Public Service Commission’s principal duty will be to hear cases involving the state’s regulated utilities.

The Public Service Commission essentially functions as a court for cases involving utilities and other regulated companies. The Public Service Commission has broad jurisdiction over matters pertaining to the investor owned electric and gas utility companies; water companies, telecommunications companies, motor carriers of household goods, hazardous waste disposal, and taxicabs.

The newly formed Office of Regulatory Staff is charged with representing the public interest in cases before the Commission. The Office of Regulatory Staff has also assumed responsibility for the regulation of the state’s utility companies.

“The Commission is committed to making the new reforms work. The Public Service Commission can now devote all of its resources to hearing cases and making the best
decisions possible for the state’s utility customers. Our commission has excellent training and resources at its disposal” said Chairman Mitchell.

“The new law is allowing us to focus our energies on making the best decisions possible. Everyone will benefit from the new system” said Vice Chairman Hamilton.

Chairman Mitchell has served on the Public Service Commission since 1998 and as Vice Chairman since 2002. He represents the Third Congressional District and is a member of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Commissioners (SEARUC) and the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC). He served as Vice Chairman of the Saluda County Council from 1981-1987. He was elected as the Saluda County Probate Judge and served in that capacity from 1988 to 1998. He has served as President or Chairman of the board of the Hollywood Ruritan Club, the South Carolina Guernsey Cattle Club, and the Hickory Grove Advent Christian Men’s Fellowship.

Vice Chairman Hamilton was elected to the Public Service Commission in March of 2004 to represent the Fifth Congressional District and is a member of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Commissioners (SEARUC) and the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC). He retired from the Farm Bureau in 2001; served as Chairman of the Marlboro County Council in 2004; was with the South Carolina Highway Commission from 1990-1991 and served on the Bennettsville City Council from 1978-1990. Vice Chairman Hamilton served on the Pee Dee Regional Council of Government; the South Carolina Association of Regional Councils; the South Carolina Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties. He served as president of the Bennettsville Rotary Club, the Marlboro County Development Board, the Marlboro Chamber of Commerce, the Marlboro Jaycees and was Chairman of the Marlboro Transportation Committee.

The goal of the Public Service Commission is to seek to ensure that the citizens of the State receive appropriate levels of customer satisfaction and quality of service for those services provided through the entities under its jurisdiction, while providing an open, accessible and efficient regulatory process which is fair, cost effective and unbiased.

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