(AP) -- South Carolina regulators will begin hearing testimony on a request by the state's largest privately owned utility to raise power rates by 5 percent.
The Public Service Commission's hearing starts Monday on the request from South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. and could last for several days.
The company has reduced its original rate request by half to get more in line with the rate recommended by the state Office of Regulatory Staff.
The state agency that represents consumers in utility cases also has suggested SCE&G spend more than $48 million in state tax credits on programs that could reduce power bills over the next two years.
If approved, the rate increase would be phased in over three years.
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