[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6057595,"mediaKeyId","3302995-7c812b5c3389111c636af72b181fdc3c","parentId",3302995,"title","Committee flags transit, EV charging and outreach as top priorities to cut emissions","audioSeconds",503,"startMs",2874000,"endMs",3377000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3302995-7c812b5c3389111c636af72b181fdc3c&start=2874&end=3377","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3302995-7c812b5c3389111c636af72b181fdc3c/thumbnail_2874000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6057595/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Committee-flags-transit-EV-charging-and-outreach-as-top-priorities-to-cut-emissions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057595-ee159bddbe5265837ba893b60be58bfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190038&Signature=YvY0WM6bIm-AosBMdlA-G2i6LEibM6qv3y~uFMzDoP0pCoJVZnyhUXwOwAyMLPw4ySuVzCi3aRP1dx8Iea-XuwL2w2O2yOrbiToK9v~uwGAVV2aOfy6gzGfe-fpSfyW3SljULZH5IuNc3Vmf3poZP3zHn6dsejbgO1aSSbez0u4HYdclZW~88y2O5g1M6ozJllwjoO4dLYDqiP-hMalmDkIZbKvQiYFFRSdGVDSSi70CoruqX3Xc66DMmzUJN~O7Hz92IfPhI9uuzNRrULr6YVR8JRDqR-D8TYKSLQl0m38FXgIbstm34bJg20NJeEIl2SfeTAFA1Ksg7IEQnfDkig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-14T19:43:01Z","article","Members of the Resilience & Sustainability Advisory Committee highlighted transportation and workforce outreach as top priorities to reduce emissions and support the county's Climate Action Plan.

Committee member (Chamber-affiliated) suggested advocacy for programs that help businesses retrofit commercial buildings and for state-level adoption of PACE financing. \"PACE program... would permit... you as a business owner can take out a loan, and your loan is paid back through your property taxes,\" the member said, describing the mechanism and urging county advocacy for state support.

Several speakers pressed for more transit options and pilot programs to increase ridership on bus rapid transit (LCRT), encourage carpooling and expand bike share. One committee member asked whether reversible HOV lanes on US-17A/26 could incent carpooling during peak directions. \"If one of those lanes was an HOV lane... would that convince people to do more carpooling?\" the member asked.

Staff and partners discussed current pieces in progress: county facilities have installed EV chargers in county parking lots and are adding chargers for county fleet vehicles; the county and region are coordinating with COG and SCORE on clean-air strategy teams. Members suggested outreach experiments such as offering free transit day passes at public events and organizing retrofit workshops that bring contractors, bankers and pay-for programs together in one forum.

Why it matters: Transportation is a major local source of greenhouse gases. Committee members argued combining awareness campaigns, transit-oriented development and financing tools to lower car dependence and encourage electrification.

Supporting details: Staff noted the county has already installed 12 EV chargers at a park parking lot and placed additional chargers at libraries and other sites. Members also identified workforce training and partnerships with technical colleges (Trident Tech) as a critical piece to ensure local labor can deliver retrofits and solar installations.

Next steps: Committee members asked staff to consider transit outreach pilots, workforce training connections and a public workshop or summit to connect businesses, contractors, utilities and financiers to demonstrate retrofit financing and on-the-ground installation options.

Ending: Members said combining transit pilots, EV infrastructure expansion, workforce training and targeted outreach would help make the county's climate strategies tangible for residents and businesses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Resilience & Sustainability Advisory Committee Meeting May 13th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members recommended boosting transit options, piloting incentives for carpooling and partnering on events and workshops to encourage building retrofits and low-carbon transport, while staff noted the county's new public EV chargers and collaboration with regional transit planning.","taxTitle","Charleston County, South Carolina","taxId",3700,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6057600,"Advocates call for scaling weatherization, home repairs as county rolls out EECBG audits",3334,840000,4174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3302995-7c812b5c3389111c636af72b181fdc3c&start=840&end=4174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3302995-7c812b5c3389111c636af72b181fdc3c/thumbnail_840000.jpg","/articles/6057600/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Advocates-call-for-scaling-weatherization-home-repairs-as-county-rolls-out-EECBG-audits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057600-397add59ba3ed3ef54ce7cac5962691e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190038&Signature=euv5YIyZrNjWAWGBHvG2r55nK6e4Qi5GAAqY4Mp~zY5S-dkCcoVJ6W1dkBFs~7J1uZoMSVzVAEnUsqIMaRaW1t7CKe2XnZ3h5fLJdkrTTwm0jgYhBxvXDiOl5Vi31TcuIS~GXTHDEgxv7alBGg5tXxj3jIbywvn2cE5Fp-KmVpX6OagGVtHYOTKN0uyLei6bG-sKitqJy4AoKBOsIwKSsFWlFqDXvFEcsr5K-vRX8B3FAdwUAmaJcOsRZRrXPlXEHuRnqNSwlqNuFIxGWrijJBTKSD-lrQrTEEgcfAAuPeoSWVFYym4WIvGqGp~VGNYkr5C4yD5JvPDUbW4raysPLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nonprofit partners and members of the public urged the Resilience & Sustainability Advisory Committee to expand weatherization and home-repair support for low- and moderate-income households as Charleston County begins an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program.

Emily Bennett, energy project manager at the Coastal Conservation League, told the committee that preserving existing housing stock through repairs and weatherization can reduce displacement and high energy burden. \"Preserving existing housing stock is a pathway to improve this affordability,\" Bennett said in public comment. She described home repairs (roof, mold/asbestos remediation, electrical) followed by weatherization (air sealing, insulation, energy-efficient HVAC and water heating) and said such measures can extend housing life and reduce repair and utility costs.

What county staff described: Ally said the county received an EECBG grant from the South Carolina Department of Energy that will fund free energy audits for 20 homes and that contractors will select eight homes for deeper weatherization work.

Why it matters: Speakers said weatherization and repairs can cut energy bills and lessen climate-driven damage and displacement from flooding and storms. Bennett cited Department of Energy estimates that weatherization can reduce bills by up to 30 percent and urged the county to ensure programs reach low- and moderate-income and heirs' properties.

Supporting details: Belle Mosoff of the Charleston Climate Coalition and other public commenters highlighted local pilots—such as the Union Heights community change grant and green building pilots—where weatherization and low-carbon building techniques are being tested. Community members urged the county to pair outreach with trusted partners and to use real-estate touchpoints and community development networks to reach homeowners.

Next steps: Staff said they will continue vetting applicants for the EECBG program and are compiling an inventory and outreach strategy to connect weatherization efforts with other county programs and workforce initiatives.

Ending: Commenters urged that weatherization, home repair funding and training be prioritized so cost savings and resilience benefits reach households most at risk of displacement.","Public commenters and nonprofit partners urged Charleston County to prioritize home repairs and weatherization for low- and moderate-income households as staff begins a grant-funded program of free energy audits and selective weatherization.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6057605,"Charleston County to recommend energy performance contract after ESCO bids; projects could be financed by savings",666,2135000,2801000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3302995-7c812b5c3389111c636af72b181fdc3c&start=2135&end=2801","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3302995-7c812b5c3389111c636af72b181fdc3c/thumbnail_2135000.jpg","/articles/6057605/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-County-to-recommend-energy-performance-contract-after-ESCO-bids-projects-could-be-financed-by-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057605-4c9631c6287bfcc2b17f8dfb833bf547/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190038&Signature=OWxZHHTxSwUrjN3Py5PbZeWWrIQvBGxTqAqKNcdKLfX-36bZq~HmVJwy~r83BcfYPcb0zhgMHuHemmYndS6DGjuHiPEtJeNOUXVdPzaPesRvpZ6XSa8OS2yG6FXfPrAm-VyGhBOuxINHfIS8s2cLIFFGmmZZLxyYoy7t~jFf2vQTehdn0u8jM6CS5-3am56iHK24wx7XlwpEPAFdu6-wh375gy6F0lzfC2g45FkSO0HA6NOvZibZ5qQG-IWNJ3Szt828THVLWDkdV~WMvKmc5w3YPs57VBqCBr1UHlky3XmHBiplGbRP5yoDKoC3dnZEo9FOxcunXm~FOX00KOBvCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston County facilities staff briefed the Resilience & Sustainability Advisory Committee on completed energy-efficiency projects and on a pending energy savings performance contract that would finance larger retrofits.

Phil, director of facilities, summarized completed projects across county sites and outlined the procurement process for an energy services company. \"We retrofitted both garages with LED lighting... we saw 50% decrease in our energy in our light,\" Phil said, describing earlier lighting upgrades. Phil listed other upgrades completed at the detention center, library support center, magistrate facility, judicial center, EMS stations and public works buildings.

Facilities staff said the county solicited proposals and received five responses to an RFP for a third-party ESCO and expected a committee recommendation to County Council in June or July. Phil described the list of potential projects as roughly $20 million to $25 million in candidate measures and said the ESCO model allows financing through projected energy savings rather than asking the Council for the full capital up front.

Why it matters: If Council approves the ESCO recommendation, the county could move forward on a multi-year program to install more efficient HVAC systems, additional LED conversions, window tinting, solar on county roofs and EV charging infrastructure while using projected energy savings to pay back the financing.

Supporting details: Phil said other completed measures included variable refrigerant flow systems in new buildings, new efficient boilers, freezer and cooler replacements, and the installation of EV chargers (12 chargers in one parking lot, plus chargers for fleet vehicles). He said earlier estimates for a smaller boiler replacement project came in under budget, producing quicker savings.

Timeline and budget context: Facilities began ESCO conversations in 2023, issued the RFP in March 2025, received five responses in April 2025, and expected a committee decision in late June or July 2025 to forward a recommendation to County Council. Phil said the county currently averages about $150,000 per year from an energy conservation budget and maintains a $6 million preservation budget that could be redeployed if the ESCO is approved.

Next steps: The committee will review the recommendation and, if the council concurs, the county would finalize contract terms with the selected ESCO and begin implementation and measurement/verification processes to ensure the savings materialize.

Ending: Facilities staff asked committee members for questions and said they would return with the committee's formal recommendation to County Council.","Facilities staff briefed the committee on energy-saving projects already completed and a pending recommendation to County Council to engage an energy service company (ESCO) to finance up to $20-25 million in facility upgrades paid back through energy savings.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6057610,"Charleston County staff catalog climate projects, seek committee input for 2025 work plan",2031,865000,2896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3302995-7c812b5c3389111c636af72b181fdc3c&start=865&end=2896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3302995-7c812b5c3389111c636af72b181fdc3c/thumbnail_865000.jpg","/articles/6057610/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-County-staff-catalog-climate-projects-seek-committee-input-for-2025-work-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057610-56508e0a2621101abc1e0c16b72c7a02/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190038&Signature=hf4Ck5X4cD70trJDPoc9xSgo~z9t88EnETQ5LeCw1AdqMRbemlDbZ4nYzw4lhkCz0133PnGfsLg7UuALHYv0uPtckeJqR6mlvrLzqcmSVFKa90gGMhSnmT6rGVlhVEW-k189MEGHX3vgqNkd75u4J8FxcIJGYnReFtt47MTvPPQi8z3l74fg90WjpO5klXt1T-ZpNlnZ6F7OsrP6SZvIhMN9VFZ8354aKcqS3OUxgkeqGq8oAYKtpWClFlfovPNb91lj3KRFOdvHdvRZ4yRC8Ow80QuwnN~Kqwn1RgC2xZEdcyug-XN5gPY~INmiQA9Hq~AVJugC5au3kxCiFmJ1VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff presented a newly compiled inventory of climate and sustainability projects and asked the Resilience & Sustainability Advisory Committee to recommend one or two priority projects for a 2025 work plan.

The inventory, created by staff over the last six weeks, tracks internal and external programs that relate to the county's Climate Action Plan. \"Internally within the county, there are 62 projects or programs happening that relate to the climate action plan. Externally, there's 25, and then in total, it'll be 87,\" Ally, a staff member involved in the inventory, told the committee.

Committee members were asked to help fill gaps, identify partners and suggest projects the county should prioritize. \"My goal is to eventually be able to put it public,\" Ally said, describing the Airtable-based tool that lists each project, the implementing organization, and which of the Climate Action Plan's 53 strategies it addresses. Staff said the inventory is not yet public while it is being vetted.

Why it matters: the county uses the Climate Action Plan and a greenhouse gas inventory to measure progress. County staff said the inventory shows the county is already addressing 28 of the plan's 53 strategies and that 29 strategies were slated to start in 2025. \"So we're not super far off from the pace that we were expected to be doing,\" Ally said, adding the next required greenhouse gas inventory is scheduled for 2027.

Supporting details: staff described how the inventory will help the county identify which organizations are already leading implementation so the county can take supporting roles or fill gaps. Members suggested using the inventory to brief County Council and to shape public outreach. The county also noted federal cuts to FEMA programs could affect future mitigation and recovery funding and said it is coordinating with the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCORE) on alternative funding and on reactivating Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) partners.

Related items mentioned at the meeting included a planned amendment to local plastic bag ordinances to close loopholes between municipalities and the unincorporated county, and the county's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, which staff said will provide free energy audits to 20 homes and select eight for weatherization.

Next steps: staff said they will circulate a draft work plan proposing priority projects and asked the RSAC members to recommend which projects to emphasize. The county also plans outreach to municipal partners and to regional actors such as the COG and SCORE to align regional and county efforts.

Ending: Committee members urged broader public engagement, suggested using partners to expand the inventory, and recommended linking the inventory to workforce and transit priorities discussed later in the meeting.","County staff presented an internal inventory showing 87 climate-related projects and asked the Resilience & Sustainability Advisory Committee for priorities to include in a 2025 work plan ahead of the county's next greenhouse gas inventory.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee flags transit, EV charging and outreach as top priorities to cut emissions

Advocates call for scaling weatherization, home repairs as county rolls out EECBG audits

Charleston County to recommend energy performance contract after ESCO bids; projects could be financed by savings

Charleston County staff catalog climate projects, seek committee input for 2025 work plan