Sen. Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla, chairman of the State Public Utilities Review Committee (PURC), led a delegation to Washington on Wednesday to present a report on South Carolina’s energy resources to the members of South Carolina’s Congressional Delegation.
The PURC is charged with oversight of the state’s electric and gas utilities.
The report provides a comprehensive inventory and assessment of the state’s energy resources and makes recommendations to state and federal lawmakers. It includes details on where and how South Carolina generates electric power, what renewable and other resources are available, how South Carolinians use energy, and it gives pertinent demographic data about personal income, housing stock and illiteracy levels.
"This information is particularly important because Congress is considering several proposals to curtail carbon emissions through mechanisms such as a “cap and trade” system and a federally-mandated “renewable portfolio standard,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell, another member of the group that made the trip.
A cap and trade system would limit the amount of carbon emissions allowed for certain large industries, requiring them to purchase, or “trade,” allowances for greenhouse gas emissions. A renewable portfolio standard would require the state’s utilities to either produce or purchase a certain percentage of their generating capacity from renewable energy sources.
“We hope that this report will give our congressional delegation a record to rely upon when they debate the merits of the various federal energy initiatives," McConnell said.
Alexander said he was pleased with the reception the delegation, which included Rep. Bill Sandifer, R-Seneca, received. He noted that both senators and all four South Carolina representatives attended the meeting.
"We had a good dialogue," Alexander said. "I think they will have a better understanding of the unique challenges South Carolina faces as they attempt to formulate energy policy."
"Some of these (federal) proposals could have severe consequences on hard working South Carolinians who risk being saddled with the ever rising costs of unattainable federal mandates,” said McConnell.
However, not everyone was reacting positively to the report. Among its detractors was the South Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club.
"The PURC blames weather for our energy crisis, but not bad energy policy at the state and federal level. The report cites 'moderate winters and long hot summers' for our state's dependence on electricity, when weather plays very little role in our state's high electricity bills," Club Chair Susan Corbett said.
"Other states have colder winters and hotter summers," notes Chapter Director John Ramsburgh. "Our high bills are the result of inefficiency. We have poorly weatherized homes and unresponsive utilities."
Sierra officials said the report's endorsements of nuclear and coal are also cause for concern.
"Considering the strong likelihood of federal carbon legislation, and the skyrocketing costs and radioactive waste issues surrounding nuclear, South Carolina ratepayers are justly concerned about the effort by the PURC report to perpetuate our state's dependence on coal and uranium," Ramsburgh said.
According to the report, South Carolina will have a hard time meeting renewable portfolio standards or operating under a cap and trade system. The state’s climate and geography are not well suited for cost efficient solar and wind power generation.
"South Carolina is in a precarious position," McConnell said. "The state ranks 40th among the 50 states in median income, and 44th in disposable income. Many of the state’s citizens simply cannot afford the upfront costs of energy efficient investments such as insulation, windows or energy efficient heating and cooling systems, yet they would feel the longterm burden of higher rates that would result from federal mandates.”
