The Supreme Court of South Carolina

ORDER

Pursuant to the provisions of S.C. CONST. Art. V, §4,

I find that since the abandonment of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Project, multiple actions have been filed statewide pertaining to customer-related claims requesting reimbursement or refunds of monies paid in the form of increased utility rates.

I further find that assigning a single judge to administer and prepare for trial all such cases will promote the effective and expeditious disposition of this litigation through uniform rulings and will conserve the resources of the parties, their counsel, and the judiciary.  Now therefore,

IT IS ORDERED that the Honorable John C. Hayes, III be vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and dispose of all pretrial motions and other pretrial matters in any case that may arise statewide pertaining to customer-related claims requesting reimbursement or refunds as a result of the abandonment of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Project.  At the conclusion of all pretrial matters in a case, Judge Hayes may preside over the trial of that case or assign the trial to another circuit judge.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that copies of all pleadings and motions in this litigation presently pending or which may be filed shall be forwarded by the clerk of court receiving the pleading or motion to Judge Hayes within five (5) days of filing.  However, any motions for continuance shall be forwarded immediately. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Judge Hayes may require mediation in any case at any time in the proceeding as he deems appropriate.

This order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect unless modified or rescinded by the Chief Justice.

Columbia, South Carolina
October 31, 2017