South Carolina Senators Debate Bill Aimed at Addressing State’s Growing Energy Needs
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A bill aimed at addressing South Carolina’s growing energy needs sparked a heated debate among senators before it could even reach the Senate floor for discussion.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey and other lawmakers raised concerns about the bill, arguing that it was being rushed and could potentially undo costly lessons learned from a failed nuclear reactor project.
Massey criticized the 80-plus page bill for making too many changes to regulations and suggested delaying its consideration until the following year. He emphasized the importance of thoroughly examining the state’s power needs and regulatory system to ensure utilities have the necessary support to meet the increasing demand for electricity.
Supporters of the bill highlighted a recent incident on Christmas Eve 2022 when South Carolina faced a near crisis due to high demand for electricity exceeding the available generation capacity. They emphasized the urgent need for measures to prevent such situations in the future.
The bill’s short-term goal is to facilitate the construction of a natural gas-fired power plant in the Lowcountry by private Dominion Energy and state-owned utility Santee Cooper. It includes provisions for expediting the approval of gas pipelines essential for the project.
While some senators expressed reservations about the bill’s expedited timeline, others stressed the importance of addressing the state’s energy needs promptly. The clock is ticking for the bill’s approval, with the session ending on May 9.
As the debate continues, lawmakers are mindful of past failures in the energy sector, particularly the V.C. Summer nuclear project debacle. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with senators divided on the best approach to ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy future for South Carolina.