S.C. Code Ann. § 37-6-606 – Petitions filed by advocate with regulatory agencies in interest of consumers

(1) Whenever the advocate determines that it would be in the interest of consumers affected by regulatory agencies, he may file with the appropriate regulatory agency a petition requesting it to commence or complete a proceeding respecting any organization whose operations substantially affect the consumer interest.
(2) The petition shall set forth facts which it is claimed establish the need for the proceeding and a brief description of the substance of the order or amendment desired as a result of the hearing.
(3) The regulatory agency may hold a public hearing or may conduct such investigation or proceeding as it deems appropriate in order to determine whether or not such petition should be granted.
(4) Within sixty days after the filing of the petition described in item (1) of this section, the regulatory agency shall either grant or deny the petition. If the agency grants the petition, it shall promptly commence or complete the proceeding, as requested by the petition. If the agency denies the petition it shall publish the reasons for such denial.
(5) If the regulatory agency denies the petition made under this section (or if it fails to grant or deny such petition within sixty days), the petitioner may commence a civil action in the circuit court to compel the regulatory agency to commence or complete the proceeding as requested in the petition. Any such action may be filed by the petitioner thirty days after the denial of the petition or, if the agency fails to grant or deny the petition within sixty days, within thirty days after the expiration of the sixty-day period.
(6) If the petitioner can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the court that the failure of the agency to commence or complete the proceeding as requested in the petition was unreasonable, the court shall order the agency to commence or complete the proceeding as requested in the petition.
(7) In any action under this section, the court shall have no authority to compel the agency to take any action other than the commencement or completion of a proceeding.
The remedies under this subsection shall be in addition to and not in lieu of other remedies provided by law.