A faulty breaker has prompted officials at a South Carolina nuclear plant to take the reactor offline. The State reported that South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. said Monday it had taken the reactor offline at its plant in Jenkinsville northwest of Columbia.

South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. is seeking a rate increase to improve and maintain its infrastructure for natural gas customers. The State reported that the Columbia-based utility filed paperwork Monday with Public Service Commission for an increase that averages nearly 5.7 percent for residential customers.

According to a release e-mailed to WJBF News Channel 6, SCE&G adjusted the purchased gas portion of its natural gas rates for January, resulting in a decrease of $1.43, or 1.04 percent, from December in overall costs to residential customers based on average usage for the month. Compared to year ago levels, the average January bill will be down $29.56, or 17.91 percent. Since last July the cost of natural gas for the average residential customer (based on an average use of 100 therms) has decreased almost 25 percent.

South Carolina utility regulators will hold a series of public hearings on a proposal to build the state’s first two nuclear reactors in decades. South Carolina Electric & Gas is asking regulators for permission to begin charging customers higher rates now for its part of the $10 billion for the reactors it will build and operate with the state-owned utility Santee Cooper.

The cost of electricity is going up in South Carolina. State utility regulators agreed yesterday to allow South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. to implement a midyear rate increase.