The South Carolina Senate recently voted to turn a bill considered vital by power companies into a resolution that only expresses support for the idea of addressing the state’s growing power needs. The decision to gut the House’s energy bill came after the Senate was not ready to grant utilities more flexibility that could potentially cost ratepayers billions of dollars. Republican Sen. Tom Davis attempted to broker an agreement between the House and Senate, but many senators, including their leadership, were hesitant to relax rules and safeguards that were put in place after previous costly failures by power companies.
The House, frustrated by the Senate’s lack of action, began attaching the energy bill to unrelated legislation, such as a bill requiring therapists to undergo suicide prevention training. Despite efforts to reach a compromise, the Senate ultimately decided to pass a resolution as a nod to the House’s work on the issue. The resolution acknowledges the importance of increasing power capacity in a responsible manner, but it also acknowledges the differing priorities and timelines between the two chambers. The proposal now heads back to the House for further consideration before the end of the regular session.
All 170 members of the General Assembly are facing reelection in November, adding a sense of urgency to the debate over the energy bill. Power companies have argued that updating South Carolina’s utility rules is necessary to build new plants and generate more energy, especially after the threat of rolling blackouts in 2022. The House bill aims to allow Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper to build a natural gas-fired power plant in the Lowcountry, among other long-term goals. However, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey believes that more time is needed to study the issue and hold hearings before making any significant changes.
Massey is particularly concerned about Dominion ratepayers already being saddled with the costs of the failed nuclear plants and now potentially facing additional expenses for a new power plant. The aftermath of the nuclear debacle, in which construction on two reactors was halted, continues to influence the debate over energy policy in the state. While Massey acknowledges the noble goals outlined in the House bill, he believes that thorough examination and consideration are necessary before making any decisions. The Senate plans to hold hearings and further study the issue before moving forward with any legislation.
The impasse between the House and Senate reflects the complexity and significance of the energy bill, as well as the divergent priorities of lawmakers. While both chambers agree on the need to address South Carolina’s power needs, there are disagreements about the best approach and timeline for implementing changes. The resolution passed by the Senate serves as a temporary solution to keep the conversation going and acknowledge the work done by the House on this critical issue. As the House considers its next steps, the future of energy policy in South Carolina remains uncertain, with potential implications for ratepayers and power companies alike.
