With 100 Day Clean Energy Agenda, groups push for action in South Carolina

A coalition of conservation organizations, solar industry groups and other clean energy advocates wants aggressive, urgently needed action from the South Carolina Legislature to quickly enact policies to enhance competition in the state’s energy sector.

The 100 Day Clean Energy Agenda urges legislators to:

• eliminate the net metering cap for residential solar customers,
• ensure fair, transparent rates for residential and large-scale solar,
• allow businesses to contract directly with independent clean power providers,
• ensure fair and timely contracts for large-scale solar providers, and
• make solar power available and accessible to all residents, regardless of income.

The call for action is especially urgent because solar net metering programs are expiring, some as early as March for Duke Energy customers in the Upstate. The end of these programs will mean solar customers will no longer get credit for energy they generate and provide back to the utility, a change that could devastate South Carolina’s burgeoning solar industry.

There’s no question about the incredible economic benefits South Carolina has seen from this clean energy source, including good-paying South Carolina jobs, new business investments, and fewer carbon emissions,” said Lauren Bowen, an SELC energy attorney. “Swift action is needed by South Carolina legislators to make solar accessible to their constituents and help the local solar economy thrive.