House advances Energy Security Act after hours of debate, approves committee amendment

The South Carolina House of Representatives on the floor gave second reading to House Bill 3309, the South Carolina Energy Security Act, approving the committee amendment and advancing the measure by a 94-11 vote.

Representative Gatch, who explained the bill and the committee amendment, said the measure aims to address a growing shortfall in generation capacity and modernize the state's approval process for new energy projects. "South Carolina is at the precipice of an energy crisis," he said, arguing that aging coal plants and double-digit population growth require new generation.

The bill authorizes a range of actions to encourage new electric generation and transmission. Key provisions explained on the floor include authorization for the state public power entity to enter joint-venture partnerships with investor-owned utilities, expanded support for nuclear technologies…