EXHIBIT 5 South Carolina Electric & Gas Company 1426 Main Street Columbia, South Carolina 29201 April 10, 1997 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20549 Gentlemen: South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (the "Company") has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 for the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a proposed public offering of 1,000,000 shares of the Company's Cumulative Preferred Stock, $100 par value per share (the "Stock"). I am familiar with the preparation of the aforesaid Registration Statement and the preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement forming a part thereof and am familiar with the proceedings of the Company in connection with the proposed issuance and sale of the Stock. I have also made such further investigation as I have deemed pertinent and necessary as a basis for this opinion. Based on the foregoing, I hereby advise you that it is my opinion, upon (a) the aforesaid Registration Statement, as it may be amended, becoming effective; (b) the filing of articles of amendment setting forth the relative rights, preferences and limitations with respect to the Stock with the Office of the Secretary of State of South Carolina; and (c) the due execution, registration and delivery of the Stock to the purchaser or purchasers thereof against receipt of the purchase price therefor; the Stock will have been duly authorized and legally and validly issued and will be fully paid and non-assessable. I hereby consent to the use of this opinion in connection with the aforesaid Registration Statement and I also consent to the making of the statements with reference to me under the heading "Legal Opinions" in the aforesaid Prospectus and Registration Statement. Very truly yours, s/H. T. Arthur H. T. Arthur General Counsel 42