Any electrical utility which has been furnishing electricity to a city or town or its inhabitants under a franchise that has expired shall, with such consent of the local authorities as may be required by article VIII, section 15, of the Constitution of this State, until a new permit for supplying electricity to such city or town or its inhabitants lawfully has been obtained, continue to furnish the same to such city or town or its inhabitants under such rates and upon such terms and conditions as may be approved by the Commission.
S.C. Code § 58-27-450