Hotlist: March 2, 2026
Last week was quieter on the surface for conservation issues at the Statehouse, with no major hearings or floor debates. But make no mistake, the real work is underway. Many priority bills are now in subcommittee, and CVSC staff are working closely with partners and lawmakers to strengthen language and ensure real, lasting protections for South Carolina’s environment.
Wednesday was a standout moment as CVSC joined lawmakers, advocates, and former students to celebrate SC Rosenwald Schools Day.
Beyond conservation, the Senate passed its income tax credit plan, setting up negotiations with the House that could shape the final budget, and both chambers gathered to welcome the Commander of the American Legion in a joint assembly.
This week should be lively with hearings on priority bills already scheduled, and likely more to come. Let’s dive into what happened and what to expect next.
Updates
SC Rosenwald Schools Day 2026
CVSC hosted Rosenwald alumni, partners, and advocates at the Statehouse on Wednesday to celebrate South Carolina Rosenwald Schools Day. We had an incredible turnout with groups from six Rosenwald sites across the state joining for recognition in the Statehouse and a press conference on the Statehouse steps.
Rosenwald Schools were built for African American students through a philanthropic partnership between Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington. These schools were built throughout South Carolina as state-of-the-art educational facilities in the early 1900s. The schools provided education, improved social mobility, and vastly increased college attendance, setting the stage for the civil rights movement.
Representatives Beth Bernstein, Annie McDaniel, and Gilda Cobb-Hunter were joined by the SC House Legislative Black Caucus on the House floor as they introduced a resolution dubbing February 28th as SC Rosenwald Schools Day and spoke to the importance of protecting these schools for future generations.
Afterward, Representative McDaniel gave an impassioned speech on the Statehouse steps about how rural Black communities in South Carolina were instrumental to the success of Rosenwald Schools. These communities donated land, labor, materials, and funds to build these schools for their children, and as such, Rosenwald Schools stand as a testament to hope, resilience, and determination. If we do not act now to preserve them, that story will be lost, and that is why we are fighting for awareness and protection of these schools.
CVSC thanks all of the alumni, advocates, and partners who joined us for a wonderful day of remembrance and celebration. And a special thanks to the legislators who welcomed us with open arms and are fighting for the protection of these schools for future generations.
SC Prosper & Preserve
The Senate Transferable Development Rights bill (S.288) hit a roadblock last week after being contested by Senator Lee Bright. When a bill is contested, it cannot be heard on the floor until the contesting senator removes their name. We are working with the senator now to encourage him to allow the bill to proceed. Now is the perfect time to contact your senator and urge them to support Transferable Development Rights and sustainable planning.
On the Concurrent Infrastructure Requirements front, we expect follow-up subcommittees in both the House and the Senate this week. We are hopeful that we can move these bills (S.227 & H.4050) to full committee and begin a push to get them across to the opposite chambers. Visit our Action Center below to contact your legislator about the importance of maintaining our infrastructure amid unprecedented growth.
PSC elections this week
Four of the seven seats on the Public Service Commission (PSC) will be filled this week as the House and Senate vote on candidates. The PSC regulates South Carolina’s major monopoly utilities and has final authority over electric rate increases, power plant approvals, long-term planning, and other critical decisions that directly affect customers.
Because commissioners are elected by the General Assembly rather than through a statewide ballot, this process differs from a typical public election. However, South Carolinians are represented in this decision through their elected lawmakers in Columbia.
CVSC is not endorsing specific candidates; however, we believe it is important for legislators to hear that their constituents value a qualified, independent Commission that will carefully scrutinize utility proposals and uphold the public interest. At a time of rapid growth in electricity demand, major power plant proposals, and continued pressure on household and business budgets from rising electricity bills, strong and thoughtful regulatory oversight is especially important.
The PSC election process follows strict ethics rules and can feel less visible than other elections. Even so, lawmakers consistently note that constituent engagement on issues like this matters. A brief message reminding your legislator that PSC leadership is important to you helps underscore the need for capable, independent oversight at a pivotal moment for our state’s energy future.
Visit our Action Center below to contact your legislator and share your perspective.
Data centers & energy affordability
Data centers are rapidly becoming one of the most pressing issues in South Carolina and across the nation. The swarm of headlines makes it clear: this is a top concern for voters across the political spectrum, and it remains a priority for CVSC.
Several major proposals are advancing in the Senate, with bills addressing the impact of data center development on the state’s electric system, customer bills, water resources, and local communities. CVSC and partners are working with lawmakers to protect electric customers and safeguard our natural resources.
Last week, data centers unexpectedly entered a Senate floor debate. Senator Lee Bright proposed an amendment to exclude data centers from a tax credit for redeveloping abandoned buildings. While many Senators preferred to address the issue in separate legislation, the heated discussion underscored the strong interest in tackling data center policy once bills emerge from the committee process.
Although no hearings on data center bills were held last week, Senator Davis’ Data Center Development Act (S.867) is scheduled for a third hearing tomorrow morning, with testimony expected to focus on the power impacts data centers have on the grid and customer bills.
While the Senate appears poised to take up the issue this year, the House has yet to move on data center legislation. CVSC will continue engaging lawmakers in both chambers to highlight the risks data centers pose to electric customers and the environment, and the urgent need to ensure South Carolinians are afforded basic protections already enacted by neighboring states.
Energy affordability remains a central concern. Along these lines, last month, CVSC and partners hosted Energy Affordability Advocacy Day, where attendees raised these concerns with their lawmakers. A recent blog post covering the event highlights stories from attendees, small-business voices, and community leaders, illustrating how high electricity bills affect their lives and why timely legislative action is crucial.
CVSC is committed to ensuring that data center growth does not increase electric bills for South Carolinians who are already struggling. With new data center bills emerging weekly, we’re monitoring the legislation closely and will keep you updated about opportunities to use your voice and take action.
Action Center
Here’s a round-up of current actions you can take to help us advance conservation policy during this legislative session. If you’ve already taken these actions, thank you! We’ll add more actions and provide updates as progress unfolds.
- Tell your representative to vote in favor of sustainable planning tools: CIR
- Tell your senator to vote in favor of sustainable planning tools: TDRs
- Tell lawmakers: we need qualified, unbiased energy regulators
- Tell your legislators that your energy bill is too high
- Tell your legislators to make land and water protection a top priority in 2026
LCV Releases National Environmental Scorecard
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has released its annual National Environmental Scorecard, which tracks how members of Congress voted on key environmental and public health protections last year. South Carolina’s federal delegation received some of the lowest marks in the nation.
Amid those rankings, Representative James E. Clyburn stood out as a lone environmental champion, earning a 94% score. We’re grateful for his principled leadership and his continued willingness to stand up for South Carolinians—and communities across the country—in the fight for clean air, clean water, and a healthy future for all. Find out how your members of Congress voted by reviewing LCV’s full National Environmental Scorecard.
In the News
- South Carolina weighs data center regulation as power bill, water use concerns arise | News19
- What’s all the talk about data centers & AI in SC? 5 things to know | The State
The Legislative Hotlist is a weekly update from CVSC’s Senior Vice President of Policy & Government Relations, John Brooker. Sign up for emails to get the Hotlist delivered directly to your inbox!