Legislative

CVSC’s emphasis on a clean energy transition centers around developing comprehensive energy reform legislation that is clean, reliable, and affordable. Using more renewable energy to generate electricity will both help the environment and lower utility bills. This is not just an environmental concern, but a financial one for electric customers across all of South Carolina. Rate increases seen in recent years due to an over-reliance on natural gas are just the tip of the iceberg, with more expected in the coming years. We’ll be working hard to see that future energy legislation includes a transition to clean energy and lower bills for customers.

South Carolina is the fastest-growing state in the nation–businesses and people are moving here, in part, because of our beautiful landscape. CVSC will continue to push for the protection of pristine South Carolina lands through funding and support of the Conservation Bank, Department of Natural Resources, and others. We are also working with stakeholders at all levels of government to develop and implement tools that lead to responsible growth and preserve our state’s wealth of natural resources and quality of life.

CVSC aims to help preserve community landmarks throughout our state. By protecting cultural and historic lands and landmarks, we protect the cultural and historic ties to those places. Land tells the story of those who have used it, and CVSC wants to make sure the story of all South Carolinians is championed.

CVSC believes that our waters should be safe, clean, and accessible for every South Carolinian. We are continuing work to get federal and state funding to the agencies that need it most to address contamination, pollution, and infrastructure needs. This includes mitigating emerging contaminants, supporting water infrastructure in underserved communities, and safeguarding our state’s water supplies. 

Vehicle emissions are major contributors to climate change and pollution in our communities, but transitioning to electric transportation can alleviate those issues. As more and more electric vehicles (EVs) have hit the road, South Carolina has experienced incredible growth in EV and battery manufacturing, and we expect that trend to continue. But, if South Carolina is going to be a prime location for EV and battery manufacturing, we have to make the state more EV-friendly. Therefore, CVSC is working with numerous stakeholders and partners to develop legislation that puts more EVs on the road and establishes more charging infrastructure to support them.

State agencies like the newly created Department of Environmental Services and others use regulations to protect the environment, businesses, and all South Carolinians from bad actors. Year after year, CVSC defends against attempts to roll back those regulations that keep us and our natural resources safe and healthy. We will be watching for these troublesome bills to be introduced so we can ensure our state’s vital protections remain in place.