LawHelp.org/SC

Public Utilities: Gas, Electricity, Telephone

Legal Information

• Bill of Rights for Residential Customers of Wastewater Utilities

  For wastewater utility customers. Know your rights and responsibilities and whom to contact for assistance when it comes to questions or problems regarding regulated wastewater service. Content Detail

  By:

  South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff

• Bill of Rights for Residential Customers of Water Utilities

  Know your rights and responsibilities and whom to contact for assistance when it comes to questions or problems regarding regulated water service. Content Detail

  By:

  South Carolina Office of Regulatory

• Bill of Rights for Telephone Utilities

  For telephone utility customers. Know your rights and responsibilities and whom to contact for assistance when it comes to questions or problems regarding regulated telecommunications services. Content Detail

  By:

  South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff

• Dealing with Utility Companies Regarding Disputed Bills and Utility Deposits

  This web page will give you some suggestions about how to handle your disputes with your public utility companies about bills and utility deposits. Content Detail

  By:

  National Consumer Law Center

• Energy & Environment - FTC Web Site

  This web site contains information about (1) recycling, (2) energy-efficient appliances, practices, and products (such as insulation and weather stripping), (3) ways to save electricity, (4) consumer information about gasoline and cars that use alternative fuels, and (5) information about deregulation of the electric power markets. Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

• Having Trouble Paying Your Utilities and Rent?

  Content Detail

  By:

  National Housing Law Project

• How To Help Older Americans Avoid Loss Of Utility Services

  Maintaining utility service is a crucial issue for older Americans. While these consumers may not be able to afford to pay their utility bills, they cannot afford to go without service either. For older consumers it may be particularly difficult to cut back on their use of basic utilities, especially during the winter or summer months, because of the serious threat that extreme temperatures can pose to their health. For retired or disabled seniors, reducing their basic electric, gas, or water bills will be even harder because they may spend more time at home. Significant savings in utility bills normally require major investments in insulation, home repairs, and energy-efficient appliances, which may be beyond the reach of financially limited consumers. Content Detail

  By:

  National Consumer Law Center

• Lawyer Referral Service Online

  The Lawyer Referral Service Online provides a list of attorneys by county that participate in the Bar's LRS program. To find an attorney simply click the county in which you live and look for one that practices in the area of law concerning your question. Content Detail

  By:

  South Carolina Bar Association

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

  LIHEAP is a federally-funded program to help eligible low income households meet their home heating and/or cooling needs. Content Detail

  By:

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• Understanding Your Telephone Bill

  PDF document (may load slowly). Content Detail

  By:

  SC Department of Consumer Affairs

• What to do When Utility Service is Disconnected

  Loss of utility service is a particularly serious problem for older Americans, who can face serious illness or death from extreme weather conditions. The most frequent reason utility service is disconnected is for nonpayment of the bill. However, because utility service is such a practical necessity of modern life, there are often limits and procedural requirements placed on the ability of a utility to disconnect a customer. This web page examines some measures that advocates for the elderly can take when an client is facing disconnection of utility service. Content Detail

  By:

  National Consumer Law Center