On March 25, the South Carolina Energy Security Act, H.3309, received a favorable report and passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with the following amendments:
– Amendment 1, which was carried over from the subcommittee, restores the bill to the version approved by the full Senate Judiciary Committee last year. These changes include a revised definition of “public interest” and would not require the Office of Regulatory Staff to account for the financial integrity of utilities. The amendment also authorizes Dominion Energy to collaborate with Santee Cooper on the Canady’s project and allows the Public Service Commission to employ third-party consultants.
– Amendment 4, proposed by Sen. Russell Ott (D-Calhoun), removes the creation of a pilot program for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) and instead tasks the Office of Regulatory Staff with conducting a feasibility study and reporting back to the General Assembly.
– Amendment 5, also proposed by Sen. Russell Ott (D-Calhoun), explores the feasibility of using domestic wood products to generate electricity for the state. This includes exploring the potential of utilizing wood pellets derived from timber and pulpwood as an energy generation fuel. The amendment seeks to determine whether this could be a viable, cost-effective solution for generating electricity while supporting local markets.
Sen. Jason Elliott (R-Greenville) proposed an amendment to remove a part of the bill pertaining to the permitting process for new solar developments, but it was ultimately tabled. As a result, the current version of H. 3309 will require all new energy generation projects with a footprint over 125 acres to go through the Siting Act process at the South Carolina Public Service Commission. Previously, only projects exceeding 75 MW were subject to this requirement. If enacted, this change could pose significant challenges for the solar industry.
Other amendments were presented but ultimately withdrawn.
The Electric Rate Stabilization Act, S.446 / H.3928, was introduced in both the Senate and House by Senator Tom Davis and Representatives Bill Herbkersman, Gil Gatch and Speaker Murrell Smith, respectively. The legislation establishes a framework for utilities to request annual rate adjustments outside of the traditional rate case process by granting the Public Service Commission the authority to approve rate changes based on financial reports, audits, and compliance reviews. On March 25, the full Senate Judiciary Committee reviewed the legislation and passed it favorably with an amendment that would allow public input for rate increases.
Applications for the Public Service Commission opened March 10 and closed March 28 for Districts 2, 4, and 6. The Public Utilities Review Committee is holding candidate interviews, with public hearings scheduled for the week of April 14. The General Assembly are expected to elect commissioners on May 1. Elected members of the Public Service Commission shape utility rates and programs in South Carolina, including decisions about energy infrastructure and renewable energy initiatives.
The South Carolina House of Representatives passed the state’s $14 billion budget by a 99-13 vote. The budget is now under review by the Senate Finance Committee where further proposals and adjustments are expected.
Other Notable Legislation:
- S.165: The South Carolina Conservation Education Act, sponsored by Senators Campsen, Graham and Sutton, passed unanimously out of the Senate and has been sent to the House. This bill proposes the establishment of the South Carolina Conservation Education Fund, aiming to connect youth with nature through classroom and outdoor natural resource conservation education.
- S. 275: This bill, sponsored by Senators Grooms, Walker, Climer, Zell
,and Sutton, aims to support the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure by streamlining the process for installing and operating EV charging stations. The bill addresses the need for state-level solutions in light of recent federal funding delays for EV charging infrastructure. After unanimously passing the Senate, it is now under consideration by the Labor, Commerce, and Industry (LCI) Committee in the House. - S. 51: The joint resolution encouraging Santee Cooper to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for utilizing assets associated with V.C. Summer Units 2 and 3 received unanimous support in its second reading on the Senate floor and is now under review by the Labor, Commerce, and Industry (LCI) Committee in the House.