Staff Report

South Carolina Electric & Gas should get one of the two electric rate increases it has sought, a state agency recommended Monday.

Coal and natural gas prices should not go up as much as had been feared, the Office of Regulatory Staff said in its recommendation to the Public Service Commission, which is reviewing SCE&G’s request. The ORS said that the November rate increase should be granted but that a second midyear increase in December is unnecessary.

If the PSC approves it, the November rate increase would raise residential rates by 6%, commercial rates by 7.3% and industrial rates by 12%.

In its request, filed in August, the utility cited spiraling fossil fuel costs in its request for two midyear rate increases — the first the company ever has sought. The PSC has an Oct. 20 hearing scheduled on the request.