SELC’s Statement in Response to South Carolina Unanimously Passing Solar Legislation

COLUMBIA, SC — The South Carolina State Senate and House have unanimously passed the Energy Freedom Act, opening the door for more free-market competition in the energy sector and expanded access to solar across the state.  The bill now heads to Governor Henry McMaster’s desk for signature.  

In response, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) released the following statements:

“This will accelerate South Carolina’s transition from expensive dirty power plants to clean energy competition that will lower electricity bills, attract new business, and reduce pollution impacts from fossil fuel generation,” said Blan Holman, managing attorney of the Southern Environmental Law Center's South Carolina office. “It says yes to more market competition and no to costly disasters like the V.C. Summer nuclear debacle.  It’s a solid bipartisan pivot towards the future.”

“Passing this legislation represents another major step in solidifying South Carolina’s role as a regional clean energy leader,” said Lauren Bowen, attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center’s Solar Initiative. “Now it will be easier for businesses to tap into South Carolina’s vast solar potential and utilities will be required to consider more cost effective renewable energy in proposed plans to meet future energy needs and avoid costly boondoggles.”

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Southern Environmental Law Center

For more than 30 years, the Southern Environmental Law Center has used the power of the law to champion the environment of the Southeast. With over 80 attorneys and nine offices across the region, SELC is widely recognized as the Southeast’s foremost environmental organization and regional leader. SELC works on a full range of environmental issues to protect our natural resources and the health and well-being of all the people in our region. southernenvironment.org