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South Carolina
State Programs
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State Planning and Incentive Structures | Energy Efficiency Actions | Energy Supply Actions
State Planning and Incentive Structures
Lead By Example—Energy Efficiency in Public Facilities
Status: Completed/Further Work Proposed
Details: S 1140, passed by the Senate on April 29, 2008, would direct state agencies to reduce energy consumption 20% by 2020. The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on April 30, 2008, where it remains as of October 2008.
In June 2007, the South Carolina legislature overturned Governor Mark Sanford's veto and passed HB 3034, which mandates that new state-constructed buildings meet either the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating "Silver" standard or the Green Globes Rating System for construction. The South Carolina Energy Efficiency Act addresses state government energy conservation. The statute (South Carolina Codes Title 48.52.6) directs the State Energy Office to develop energy efficient codes/standards for state-owned and leased buildings, including public school buildings, and requires state agencies and school districts to adhere to these codes.
- http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_2007-2008/prever/1140_20080221.htm
- http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t48c052.htm
- http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_2007-2008/bills/3034.doc
Lead By Example—Energy Efficient Appliance and Equipment Purchase Requirements for Public Facilities
Status: No Activity Identified
Details: The South Carolina Energy Efficiency Act requires the State Energy Office to assist state agencies by identifying and compiling a list of energy efficient "goods". Before issuing any solicitation for these goods, the procuring agency is required to notify the State Energy Office which will assist in drafting or reviewing specifications and evaluating bids or offers received in response to the solicitation. Considered no action because there are no requirements to purchase energy-efficient products.
Lead By Example—Clean Energy Goals for Public Facilities
Status: Proposed
Details: A bill (S 1140) introduced in the legislature on February 6, 2008, would require agencies to purchase 10% of their energy from renewable sources by 2025. As of October 2008, the bill was still in the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Lead By Example—Energy Efficiency and Alternative Fuel Goals for Public Fleets
Status: No Activity Identified
Details: Executive Order 2001-35 (October 18, 2001) states that whenever practical and economically feasible, all state agencies operating alternative fuel vehicles are required to use alternative fuels in those vehicles. Considered no action because there is no specific goal.
State and Regional Energy Planning
Status: Completed
Details: South Carolina's plan has six focus areas: Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Facilities, Transportation Conservation and Diversification, Energy Information and Awareness, Renewable Energy and Utilities, Radioactive Waste Disposal Program, and an Innovative and Supportive Work Environment. The 2006-2007 plan is focused on assisting the public sector (schools and universities, state agencies, local governments) manage their energy use and conduct business in a more energy-efficient way. The improvements to the public sector are meant to serve as a guide to future policy, on a wider scale.
Determining the Air Quality Benefits of Clean Energy—Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy Set Asides (NOX Budget Trading Program)
Status: No Activity Identified
Determining the Air Quality Benefits of Clean Energy—Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy Set Asides (CAIR Budget Trading Program)
Status: No Activity Identified
Energy Efficiency Actions
Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards
Status: No Activity Identified
Public Benefit Funds for Energy Efficiency
Status: No Activity Identified
Building Codes for Energy Efficiency—Commercial Programs
Status: Goes Beyond ECPA
Details: 2003 IECC with reference to ASHRAE 90.1-2001 is mandatory statewide. The State Engineer's Office and the SC Department of Education have adopted the ASHRAE 90.1 1999 as the energy code, for state buildings and schools and buildings under their jurisdiction. Can use COMcheck to show compliance.
Building Codes for Energy Efficiency—Residential Programs
Status: Goes Beyond ECPA
Details: 2003 IECC mandatory statewide. Can use REScheck to show compliance.
State Appliance Efficiency Standards
Status: No Activity Identified
Energy Supply Actions
Renewable Portfolio Standards
Status: No Activity Identified
Public Benefit Funds for Clean Energy Supply
Status: No Activity Identified
Output-Based Environmental Regulations
Status: No Activity Identified
Interconnection Standards—Clean Distributed Generation
Status: Completed
Details: The PSC adopted a simplified interconnection standard for small DG in December 2006. The standard addresses renewable-energy systems and other forms of DG up to 20 kW in capacity for residential systems, and up to 100 kW in capacity for non-residential systems. Notably, the standard does not include provisions for three-phase generators. The model interconnection standard (which is identical to North Carolina's standard), applies to the state's four investor-owned utilities: Progress Energy, Duke Energy, South Carolina Electric and Gas, and Lockhart Power.
- http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/SC05R.pdf
- http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=SC05R&state=SC&CurrentPageID=1&RE=1&EE=1
Interconnection Standards—Net Metering
Status: Completed
Details: On May 13, 2008, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford signed a joint legislative resolution (H.B. 3395 / S.B. 684 / R.247) that requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) staff and the State Energy Office to draft a report for the legislature by January 1, 2009, on the establishment of net metering programs at all of the state’s utilities.
On October 1, 2007, South Carolina's 24 electric cooperatives announced that they would be offering a pilot program for net metering for members who wish to install their own renewable energy generation facilities, such as solar systems, in their homes. As of October 1, 2007, the Santee Cooper utility will buy excess power from customers who make electricity with solar panels and other generators to bolster its green energy offerings. Under the plan approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on August 27, 2007, the state-owned utility will pay or credit between 3.2 and 5.7 cents for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) that is fed back onto its grid. Under the utility's plan, pricing will vary based on its system wide demand.