Central SC has some of the nation's most reliable, and affordable utilities. The region's electric, natural gas, water and wastewater providers supply the area's industries with reliable services, and more than adequate utility infrastructure.

Electricity

South Carolina has some of the nation's lowest power costs thanks to a diverse supply of resources, including: coal, nuclear, petroleum and natural gas. In fact, industrial power costs are generally 15-20 percent lower than the national average, and are currently the lowest in the South Atlantic Region. See below for a comparison of the average retail price of electricity by end-use sector, in cents per kilowatt-hour.

To learn more about each of the state's electric cooperatives, visit the SC Power Team.

Natural Gas

South Carolina also has extensive natural gas infrastructure, and stable prices. Central SC's main natural gas providers include: SCE&G, Clinton-Newberry Natural Gas Authority, Tri-County Cooperative, City of Orangeburg, and Orangeburg Dept. of Public Utilities. See below to learn how South Carolina's natural gas rates (in dollars per thousand cubic feet) stack up against surrounding states, and the nation.

Water / Wastewater

There are numerous water and wastewater providers throughout the region, meeting the residential and industrial needs of the community. Water quality is outstanding, especially in Columbia, which placed third in the Today's shows blind test in 2007. Furthermore, with over 2,400 miles of pipeline in the City of Columbia alone, there is more than enough infrastructure to meet industrial, residential or commercial demands. To see specific information regarding what water providers are available by county, please visit our member counties pages.