Public Service Commission asks for $309,743 increase and highlights outreach, workload

Jocelyn Boyd, director for the Public Service Commission, told the subcommittee the PSC requests a $309,743 increase in appropriations for fiscal 2027. Boyd said the increase reflects a 2% general pay increase granted in the FY26 Appropriations Act that raised employer contribution costs, and an appropriation is needed to cover employer contributions for an additional attorney position the commission intends to fill.

Boyd also said the commission must cover higher charges from the Department of Technology Operations and needs to replace an outdated TriCaster streaming device that is incompatible with newer operating systems used for livestreaming and virtual witnesses. "The commission is asking for an increase in its appropriations of $309,743," Boyd said.

The PSC described internal performance work to shorten the time between commission decisions and issuance of final orders, and presented notable dockets including rate cases and several siting matters. Staff described outreach work that included livestreaming partnerships with South Carolina Educational Television, digital campaigns with the Post and Courier, and consumer public hearings for major dockets. The commission reported using set‑aside funds (about $250,000) from a prior integration study to retain avoided‑cost experts and said roughly $81,000 remained under that proviso for future required expert work.

PSC staff also summarized metrics for public engagement and social media reach and said a regulatory process forum and State Register notices under Act 41 would prompt a March 17 hearing at the commission. Committee members asked clarifying questions during the presentation; no formal action was taken during the hearing.