New polls shows majority of South Carolinians want a more competitive energy sector
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – A majority of South Carolinians support having more choice when it comes to their energy providers, according to a new poll.
The poll, commissioned by the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), found that nearly 81% of people surveyed said that the state should change its laws to encourage competition in the energy sector and allow multiple providers to sell electricity.
CEBA favors moving toward a model adopted by 19 other states in which power companies are required to participate in a wholesale energy market, an idea backed by more than three-fourths of South Carolinians, per the poll.
Such policy changes were central to a Senate hearing last week as lawmakers look for ways to meet the state's growing energy demand.
Currently, utility providers – Santee Cooper, Dominion Energy, and Duke Energy – operate as a monopoly meaning that customers within that company's service area have no choice in who they buy power from.
Leaders from those companies have previously expressed that they need extra power for growing data centers and manufacturing, which could mean building additional power plants.
Representatives from large power users in the state believe that switching to a retail choice model could help alleviate the energy crisis in the meantime.
'At least in the case of Dominion and Santee Cooper, they don't have a whole lot of extra generation capacity and they desperately, I think, need those plants or a new plant,' Scott Elliott of the S.C. Energy Users Committee told lawmakers during the hearing. 'If their capacity is thin, this would be the time to at least open up the largest users of electricity to some alternative source of electricity.'
Others suggested it could lead to an overall reduction in energy prices by generating more competition in the marketplace that would drive down costs.
A 2023 Brattle Group study determined that open market participation could save ratepayers some $360 million a year.
John Dezee, executive vice president and general counsel for Century Aluminum, said utility companies 'always want to build more generation' because it helps their profits, but the cost of doing so would likely fall to customers.
'The other alternative when you're short is to allow people to go out and buy that power and wheel it in such a that you don't have to build as much generation, which means less cost will be shared by the rest of the ratepayers,' he told legislators.
Executives from two of the three major utility providers later offered their perspective, cautioning lawmakers against 'unintended consequences' that may arise if adjustments are made.
'I want to caution you: making adjustments to what is an incredibly complex electric market to benefit a single set of customers need to be exceptionally thought out and has huge potential for unintended consequences,' Santee Cooper CEO Jim Staton said.
Assessing the state's energy future has been a key issue at the Statehouse over the past year.
A comprehensive energy bill passed the House last session but stalled in the Senate over concerns that the process was rushed.
This year, many lawmakers and the governor, want to see energy policy cross the finish line so the state can continue to attract large businesses.
'Our electric generation, distribution, and transmission capacity and capabilities must be able to handle enhanced future economic development, anticipated technological advances, and population growth,' Gov. Henry McMaster said during his annual State of the State address.
He advocated for restarting the construction of two abandoned nuclear reactors at the site of the failed V.C. Summer nuclear plant, a possibility currently being examined by Santee Cooper.
'I believe that restarting these two reactors will not only help fuel our state's future power needs but will also usher in a nuclear power renaissance across the country, one that will spur nationwide investment and construction of new nuclear power generation,' McMaster said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Charleston County received $9.4 million from an Airbnb settlement. Here's how they plan to use it
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — Charleston County leaders are developing a plan for how to spend millions of dollars received as part of a settlement with vacation rental giant Airbnb. The company agreed in February to pay $60 million to settle a lawsuit brought by more than a dozen South Carolina communities over unpaid accommodations taxes and business license fees. Charleston County recouped $9.4 million as part of that settlement, and members of the county's finance committee offered a first glimpse at how that money will be allocated at its June 5 meeting. The recommendations included roughly $1.4 million for housing initiatives, $1.6 million for financial system upgrades, $2.25 million for drainage projects, and $1.1 million for the visitors bureau. Officials also decided to put $2.5 million into a reserves fund that could be used for disaster relief in anticipation of possible cuts to FEMA. In addition, $500,000 will be allocated toward the City of Charleston's Rapid Housing program as a one-time startup cost, but a county spokesperson said the money would go back to the reserves if the city doesn't receive matching funds from other municipalities. The proposal is expected to go before the full council for a vote on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Kansas may face a triple-whammy on energy bills
KANSAS (KSNT) – With the possibility of federal tax credits being repealed, low energy assistance programs on the chopping block and Evergy seeking a rate hike, Kansans face a triple-whammy when it comes to energy bills. Several studies from this year indicate the average electric bill for families could rise as much as $400 under Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA), according to The Independent. The Clean Energy Buyer's Association (CEBA) raised the red flags in a recently commissioned report on May 15 on the repeal of federal energy tax credits. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget reports that under the bill, $249 billion in energy investment, production and manufacturing credits would be phased out. Additionally, the bill would strip funding for various environmental projects. Cutting federal investment and production tax credits could raise electricity and natural gas prices and lead to an economic slowdown, according to the CEBA. The report claims that cutting the credits could lower household incomes in 19 states between 2026 and 2032. What to know for Germanfest 2025 in Topeka 'If these tax credits disappear, American households and businesses in both red and blue states would experience economic harm,' CEBA CEO Rich Powell wrote in the report from May 15. 'This is not a partisan issue. Americans voted to combat the cost-of-living crisis in the 2024 election. Now is the time for Congress to incentivize private investment in more sources of low-cost, reliable energy that fuels economic growth and jobs, helps the United States secure energy dominance and independence, and decreases energy costs nationwide.' Kansas could lose 5,250 jobs and see energy prices increase 14.3% for households and 16.7% for businesses, according to CEBA. CEBA also reported that Kansas could see an average loss of $420 in household incomes and a $600 million decrease in state GDP. 27 News reached out to Evergy to see what federal tax credits they receive, have applied for, and whether they'll lose them under the OBBBA. The company didn't answer questions regarding tax credits but said it's working with the Edison Electric Institute to see how changes in legislation would impact the industry. 'The bill is not final and predicting what effect it may have on prices is unknowable given the changing nature of generation sources and increased usage,' Evergy spokesperson Gina Penzig wrote. Car insurance rates in Kansas and the impact of traffic violations Evergy has submitted a request with the Kansas Corporation Commission for $196.4 million, or an 8.62% rate increase, to cover the cost of increased operating expenses. If the proposal is approved as-is, the new electric rates would take hold in September 2025. Residential customers could see an average monthly increase of $13.05. Evergy will be holding public hearings on the rate hike proposals later this month. Those aren't the only things that could hurt wallets. On Tuesday, April 1, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) terminated the employment of everyone working on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), according to a now-former employee. Kansas's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) helped distribute funds from LIHEAP to lower-income families under the Department of Children and Families. Those programs won't be continued under the OBBBA, according to the Independent. Free driving school for teens coming to Topeka 'To date, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has not received information from federal partners about any potential impacts to Kansas' Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP),' DCF Deputy Director of Media Relations Erin La Row told 27 News in April. 'The current LIEAP application period ended on March 31, 2025. DCF continues to process applications and draw down federal funds as usual at this time.' 27 News checked back with DCF on June 5 for a status update on LIEAP. La Row said DCF still hasn't received any updates from its federal partners. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Electric vehicle battery company halts construction of SC manufacturing plant
Gov. Henry McMaster, center right, and state Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey, right, attended a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Florence for Japan-headquartered AESC's proposed battery cell plant. AESC is now pausing construction. (Provided by Florence County Economic Development) A battery cell maker is pausing work on its manufacturing plant under construction in the Pee Dee, delaying its pledge of 1,600 new jobs for South Carolinians. Envision Automotive Energy Supply Co. (AESC) announced the work stoppage Thursday, two years after breaking ground on the facility near Florence. 'AESC has informed the state of South Carolina and our local partners that due to policy and market uncertainty, we are pausing construction at our South Carolina facility at this time,' spokesman Brad Grantham said in a statement. 'We anticipate being able to resume construction once circumstances stabilize.' The Japanese-headquartered firm already has invested more than $1 billion into the Florence facility, Grantham said. He said the company 'fully intends to meet our commitments to invest $1.6 billion and create 1,600 jobs in the coming years,' but did not indicate what the new timeline might be. The company declined to provide further comment. Gov. Henry McMaster, while speaking to reporters, pointed to uncertainty over rising tariffs enacted by the Trump Administration, as well provisions in Republicans' massive bill on taxes and spending that could eliminate electric vehicle tax credits — both for people who purchase new or used electric vehicles and those that install EV charging stations at their homes or business. 'We hate to see that happen, but a pause is OK,' McMaster said. 'We're just urging caution. Let things play out, because all of these changes are taking place,' the governor added. 'We believe that give it some time and it'll work out.' Electric vehicle sales have continued to rise, both nationally and globally. Still, the speed of that growth has not met with early expectations. Electric vehicle battery companies in SC among the latest to hit speed bumps The lag has led to multiple setbacks for the fledgling industry, with canceled investments both nationally and in the Palmetto State, as well as automakers easing away from goals of going all-electric in favor of a mix of electric and plug-in hybrids. A repeal of consumer tax credits could further slow progress. AESC's pause comes just four months after the battery cell manufacturer pulled back on earlier plans to expand the plant beyond its original scope. BMW contracted with AESC to produce battery cells for the German auto giant's U.S. manufacturing facilities in the Upstate. The automaker has already invested $700 million dollars in its own battery plant in Woodruff, planning to place the cells it receives from AESC into the batteries it assembles there. BMW spokesman Steve Wilson said those battery assembly plans are still on schedule to begin in 2026. Between the initial announcement in 2022 and March 2024, AESC rolled out three separate rounds of investment and promises of jobs in Florence. In addition to supplying BMW's Spartanburg County assembly plant, the company made plans for a second building the was supposed to produce battery cells for a BMW plant in Mexico. But in February, AESC told the state the first factory would be enough to meet the demand for both of BMW's facilities. It pulled out of plans for a second, $1.5 billion building, along with the 1,080 jobs that came with it. In turn, South Carolina withdrew its offer of $111 million in state funding for that particular phase. The incentives claw back was a rare move for the state. But even with the pull back, AESC's remaining plant had still been on track to become the largest economic development deal in the Pee Dee region, according to the state Department of Commerce. The remaining $121 million in bonds and $135 million in grants Commerce offered as an initial incentive to lure AESC to South Carolina are so far unaffected by the shutdown, Commerce spokeswoman Alex Clark. 'South Carolina is fully and unequivocally committed to supporting existing companies, including AESC,' Clark said.
