Bills
Santee Cooper Reform
Bill #: H.3194
Session: 2021-2022
Topics:
Energy
H.3194 successfully reformed our largest state-owned electrical utility, Santee Cooper, creating better systems for oversight and management as well as mechanisms to advance clean energy. Despite servicing millions of South Carolina residents, Santee Cooper’s high-profile failures and struggles with debt caused legislators to push for change, with some supporting its sale and others just supporting reform. Ultimately, the effort to sell Santee Cooper failed in favor of reform through H.3194.
After extensive debate and competing amendments from the House and Senate, the final outcome was a definitive win for the conservation community. The bill contains clear steps forward for oversight and improved governance, giving the Public Service Commission and Office of Regulatory Staff more regulatory authority and improving transparency and engagement with the public. The bill devotes a significant focus to retirement of polluting coal plants, including a community-based just transition process and a required study of transitioning to carbon neutral generation scenario by 2050 into long-term planning.
How Legislators Voted on H.3194
Votes:
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
H.3194 Santee Cooper Reform (2nd Reading in Senate)
After significant debate, the Senate amended H.3194 to reform Santee Cooper and gave the bill second reading by a vote of 44-1. This is a Pro-Conservation Bill. The pro-conservation vote was “Yea” on second reading.
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
H.3194 Santee Cooper Reform (2nd Reading in House)
After significant debate, the House gave the bill to reform Santee Cooper second reading by a vote of 89-26. This is a Pro-Conservation Bill. The pro-conservation vote was “Yea” on second reading.
