On September 27^th, 2022, the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (“PSC”) approved an area code overlay for the existing 864 area code that includes the larger cities of Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson, as well as other communities in the northern area of South Carolina. This area code overlay will establish a new area code of 821.

This new 821 area code will cover the same geographic area as the current 864 area code and will only affect the assignation of new telephone numbers; all existing customers will retain the 864 area code and will not need to change their telephone numbers as a result of this overlay. Ten-digit dialing will be required by all customers within the area covered by the current 864 and new 821 area codes.

This matter is tracked in the Public Service Commission’s Docket Management System as Docket No. 2022-141-C and can be reviewed at this link. Details will be posted in that Docket regarding the implementation timeline and other details on the area code overlay, but those interested in further information can contact the PSC by emailing Rob Bockman at [email protected] or the Office of Regulatory Staff by emailing Kari Munn at [email protected].

For more information, please reach out to the Public Service Commission at [email protected] or at 803.896.5100 or the Office of Regulatory Staff at 800-922-1531.

In October, the Public Service Commission held their annual Joint Ethics Training Session with the Office of Regulatory Staff. Staff from both agencies heard from a South Carolina judge and attorneys on the ethical rules that apply to the Commission and the ORS and were refreshed on tactics and practices to avoid burnout and ethical violations. The PSC is grateful to all who participated and is especially grateful to those who presented at our annual joint ethics training.

Upcoming Events: December 2023

Each month, the Public Service Commission holds meetings, hearings, and other events related to the regulation of South Carolina's utilities at our offices. These events are livestreamed to the public and can be watched live at this link, or you can call in to the PSC's toll-free listen-only line at +1-855-797-9485 and enter the access code (2306 156 7308) to listen live. Please note that this listen line access code may be subject to change; consult the calendar at this link for the most current access code.

You can find out more about upcoming events scheduled at the Public Service Commission by clicking this link:

December Events at the PSC

[Watch Each Event Live at This Link]

Stay informed with recent Public Information Notices (PINs) from the Public Service Commission at the links below:

• November 28th, 2023--PSC Announces Upcoming 821 Area Code Overlay in Northern South Carolina
• November 8th, 2023--PSC Announces Public Hearing and Forum for Blue Granite Water Company Customers in the Fairwood Subdivisions
• November 7th, 2023--PSC Schedules Allowable Ex Parte Communication Briefing for November 30th
• October 10th, 2023--PSC Schedules Presentation for October 18th, 2023 on Winter Storm Elliott from Duke Energy Progress, LLC and Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC
• September 29th, 2023--ORS Files Petition Related to Universal Service Fund, PSC Opens Comment Period
• September 1st, 2023--PSC Schedules Allowable Ex Parte Communication Briefing in Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC and Duke Energy Progress, LLC’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan Dockets

The Public Service Commission has a YouTube page where we host video content, including instructional videos and messages from the Commission. Visit our page at this link to watch videos and learn more about topics crucial to the public's understanding of our work and capabilities.

The PSC doesn’t just livestream our meetings and briefings—we also record and archive our events through our partnership with SCETV so that you can revisit past events before the Commission. Check out the archive at the link below and watch events tracking back to 2018. 

Click to Watch the Commission's Livestream Archive

If you have questions about anything contained within this newsletter or about the Commission’s operations, please contact the Commission at 803.896.5100. We also encourage you to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn: PSC Facebook; PSC LinkedIn; SC Utility Consumer Facebook; SC Utility Consumer LinkedIn.