S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-1020: Capitalization for rate-making purposes.

No electrical utility shall, for rate-making purposes, capitalize its franchises, rights, powers, privileges or right to own and operate or enjoy any such franchises, rights, powers or privileges in excess of the amount paid to the State or to any political subdivision of the State as the consideration for the grant thereof or so capitalize any lease, contract of sale or contract for consolidation or merger of two or more electrical utilities or issue by way of substitution any capital stock, trust certificates, bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness or other securities for any consolidated or merged company exceeding the aggregate values of the properties so consolidated or merged plus any additional sum of money actually contributed in cash and any additional property or labor actually contributed; and the determination of such consideration or value as aforesaid shall be subject to the approval of the Commission. The Commission shall not permit any electrical utility to do any of the things that an electrical utility is forbidden by this section to do.