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News from the Statehouse
House Energy Security Act headed to a critical vote
For those who have spent countless hours dissecting, debating, and advocating for a better SC Energy Security Act (H.3309) — your work has not gone unnoticed. The effort to shape an energy future that is affordable, reliable, and sustainable is no small task, and every conversation with a lawmaker about the potential pitfalls of this bill makes a difference.
Last week the House LCI Committee addressed concerns centered around ratepayer protections, pipeline buildout, and permitting. Their notable amendments:
- Restored the number of Public Service Commissioners to seven instead of three.
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Preserved the Consumer Advocate’s independence to represent the public’s best interests in Public Service Commission (PSC) proceedings.
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Removed the “Anchor Subscriber” provision, which would have allowed Santee Cooper — and therefore the State — to take on excessive financial risk in pipeline buildout.
- Eliminated a permitting loophole that would have let utilities bypass PSC oversight when building new energy infrastructure in a "new Right of Way."
In these changes, the LCI Committee recognized the merit in testimony given by residents, energy experts, and community advocates.
However, the bill does not yet meaningfully address the issues we discussed in last week’s update — strengthening energy efficiency programs, processes for community input, land use planning, and removing barriers to solar.
As the House prepares to vote on Wednesday (2/12), we remain committed to advocating for an energy regulatory landscape that is affordable, clean, efficient, and meets our communities’ needs.
Other efforts we're following
The Senate Special Committee on Energy continued to take public testimony on solutions for large energy users like data centers, considering a mechanism called “retail choice” where some energy users would be allowed to buy energy from out-of-state utilities, something 19 other states allow in some form.
The Committee did not come to a consensus, and questions remain as to how to prevent cost-shifting to residential customers. What’s clear is that we need to seriously consider how to bring on massive amounts of new energy capacity for these large industrial customers without harming ratepayers or our environment.
I know it seems like we are now just an energy bill newsletter, but we have been following and advocating on plenty of other bills that will help protect our land and water resources!
For example, the Outfall Signage Bill we supported last year has been introduced by Senator Devine (District 19 - Richland). This bill requires certain permitted pollutant discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to have a sign next to the outfall that identifies the permittee, permit number, permittee contact information, and a number to report issues.
This bill will improve permittee compliance and help ensure those who fish and recreate in our state’s waters will know where and how to identify pollutant discharges. This bill now waits for a hearing in the Senate Medical Affairs Committee.
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