Scana

SCANA’s South Carolina Pipeline Corp. (SCPC) is fundamentally changing the way it does business in an effort to better market its pipeline capacity and expand its service territory. The company announced plans last week to voluntarily open its pipeline system to transportation-only service and discontinue gas sales service. It intends to file an application for the switch with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (SCPSC) next month.

SCANA’s South Carolina Pipeline Corp. (SCPC) is fundamentally changing the way it does business in an effort to better market its pipeline capacity and expand its service territory. The company announced plans yesterday to voluntarily open its pipeline system to transportation-only service. It intends to file an application for the switch with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (SCPSC) this year.

The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved Scanasubsidiary PSNC Energy’s fourth gas rate increase since May. PSNCwas granted an increase from 98 cents per therm to $1.18 per thermfor year around residential customers. The 20% hike goes in effectin January and translates into an annual cost of $160. The ratesPSNC Energy is charging customers are 50% higher than in January2000. On average, residential customers can expect to see around a$340 per year increase to their natural gas bills as compared tolast year. “With plenty of gas in storage for peak demand duringcold winter days, we’re prepared to meet our customers’ demand forgas throughout the winter” said PSNC Energy President Charles E.Zeigler. “At the same time we want to help our customers manage theimpact of higher heating bills.” PSNC is franchised to serve a28-county service area in North Carolina and distributes naturalgas to 360,000 winter-peak customers in 95 cities and communities.