


                                                   Exhibit 4.04



                       CERTIFICATE OF TRUST

                                OF

                            SCE&G TRUST I


          This  Certificate  of  Trust  of SCE&G  Trust I (the  "Trust"),  dated
October  8,  1997,  is being  duly  executed  and filed by the  undersigned,  as
trustees,  to form a business  trust under the Delaware  Business  Trust Act (12
Del. C. (S) 3801 et seq.)

          1.   Name. The name of the business trust being formed
hereby is SCE&G Trust I.

          2. Delaware  Trustee.  The name and business address of the trustee of
the Trust with a  principal  place of  business  in the State of Delaware is The
Bank of New York (Delaware),  whose business address is White Clay Center, Route
273, Newark, Delaware 19711.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned,  being the trustees of the Trust,
have executed this Certificate of Trust as of the date first above written.

                    THE BANK OF NEW YORK



