Our State’s Growth Is Off the Charts
South Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in America.
Since 2007, our state’s population has grown by more than 1 million people. Another million are expected to call South Carolina home by 2042. When you pair this with the economic growth in manufacturing and the recruitment of high-tech companies to our state, the demand for energy is reaching all-time highs.
And while energy reliability in the state has remained relatively steady over the years, the outdated energy systems that have provided our power must be modernized to keep up with the ever-growing demands.
South Carolina Is Facing a Looming Energy Crisis
We’re dangerously close to running out of the ability to service the needs of our population…This is one of the most crucial issues that we face, and it’s real. This is not hyperbole that we are about to run out of capacity to serve our citizens.
Rep. Murrell Smith
Speaker of the House
(R-Sumter)
Not a lot of people realize this, but our demand is outstripping our supply. So many residents that have moved this area. Large commercial developers, corporations, businesses want to come here, and so we’re really behind the curve in terms of generation on the grid.
Sen. Tom Davis
(R-Beaufort)
All of the utilities in the Southeast are having capacity constraints. Based on our new load forecast, (this is) just a drastic change in Santee Cooper’s planning process…and these loads are coming fast.
Greg McCormack
Director of Financial Forecasting
Santee Cooper
Imagine South Carolina ratepayers having reliable energy and saving up to $360 million per year in electricity costs.
The SC General Assembly can make that happen.
Right now, South Carolina’s utility monopolies plan and manage electricity independently, often without coordinating or sharing resources. This inefficiency gets passed along to ratepayers.
Modernizing South Carolina’s energy grid could mean major savings for ratepayers by making the energy system more efficient, competitive and reliable for decades to come.
According to the South Carolina Electricity Market Reform Measures Study, these measures could save ratepayers up to $360 million annually from increased efficiency, reduced operational costs, and better resource sharing—creating a reliable and affordable energy system for the state’s future.
This session, the General Assembly will be tackling the future of South Carolina’s energy needs. Your involvement will be crucial.