Senate clarifies Joint Bond Review Committee role in Santee Cooper RFP process; S.51 advances to second reading

Senators revised and advanced S.51 on second reading Tuesday, adopting a judiciary committee amendment that narrows the Joint Bond Review Committee’s role to approving Santee Cooper’s selection after a completed request-for-proposal process for the unfinished V.C. Summer Units 2 and 3.

The amendment, explained by Senator Vincent van Burden (committee spokesperson), removes language that appeared to require JBRC approval before Santee Cooper could issue RFPs. Van Burden said the change makes the JBRC role “at the end after the RFP process has been completed” rather than a condition precedent to issuing RFPs. Following that explanation, the Senate adopted the committee report and then carried S.51 to second reading; a roll call on second reading was recorded and later tabulated 43–0 in favor of giving the bill a second reading.

Why it matters: S.51 concerns the sale or completion of uncompleted nuclear plant assets tied to the V.C. Summer Units 2 and 3 project. The change limits pre-issuance oversight by shifting final approval authority to the JBRC after a private-sector selection is made, a procedural change that affects the timeline and sequence of state review in a high-profile transaction.

Details and process: The sponsor explained the amendment was intended to ensure Santee Cooper may solicit proposals and select a private partner; JBRC review follows that selection and must approve the final choice before the transaction can proceed. Senator Walker requested to be added as a cosponsor during the floor action; that request was granted.

Votes and motion: Senator Buford moved for second reading. A roll-call vote was conducted on second reading; the clerk later reported a tabulation of 43–0 for second reading.

Next steps: S.51 moves forward on the calendar for further action under the Senate’s regular legislative process.