Energy

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 58-37-20, RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR DEMAND-SIDE PILOT PROGRAMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 58-37-120, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR PERMIT, SO AS TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ANY APPLICATION FOR A PERMIT FOR AN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT AND TO REQUIRE NOTICE TO AFFECTED LANDOWNERS IF A PUBLIC UTILITY THAT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT, OR HAS ENTERED INTO AGREEMENTS TO CONSTRUCT, AN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT THAT MAY RESULT IN THE USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN AND TO PRESCRIBE THE METHODS AND CONTENT OF THE NOTICE; BY ADDING SECTION 58-37-835 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ELECTRIC SERVICE TO COMMERCIAL DATA CENTERS; BY ADDING SECTION 58-37-836 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR REPORTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CONCERNING SURFACE AND GROUND WATER USED BY COMMERCIAL DATA CENTERS; BY AMENDING SECTION 12-36-2120, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM SALES TAX, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT EXEMPTION IS AVAILABLE TO A TAXPAYER THAT ENTERED INTO A FEE IN LIEU AGREEMENT ON OR BEFORE MAY 30, 2025; TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXEMPTION FOR ELECTRICITY USED BY A TECHNOLOGY INTENSIVE FACILITY IS NOT AVAILABLE TO A TAXPAYER THAT DID NOT CLAIM THE CREDIT PRIOR TO MAY 30, 2025; TO PROVIDE THAT TO CLAIM THE EXEMPTION FOR ORIGINAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPUTERS, COMPUTER EQUIPMENT, AND COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PURCHASES USED IN A DATACENTER, THE TAXPAYER MUST HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEPARTMENTS OF REVENUE AND COMMERCE OF ITS INTENTION TO CLAIM THE CREDIT ON OR BEFORE MAY 30, 2025; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXEMPTION FOR ORIGINAL OR REPLACEMENT COMPUTERS, COMPUTER EQUIPMENT, AND COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PURCHASES USED IN A DATACENTER THE TAXPAYER MUST HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PRIOR TO MAY 30, 2030.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-7-10, RELATING TO ILLEGAL ACTS DURING STATES OF EMERGENCY, SO AS TO INCLUDE THAT HARASSING OR THREATENING A WORKER RESTORING CRITICAL SERVICES IS A MISDEMEANOR, AND THAT ASSAULTING OR ENDANGERING A WORKER RESTORING CRITICAL SERVICES OR DESTROYING OR TAMPERING WITH AN ELECTRIC UTILITY SYSTEM IS A FELONY, AND TO DEFINE CRITICAL SERVICES.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 27-1-65 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A DEED, RESTRICTION, COVENANT, OR A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DOCUMENT MUST NOT PROHIBIT THE INSTALLATION OF A BALCONY SOLAR PANEL; AND BY ADDING SECTION 58-41-60 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE STATE FROM RESTRICTING THE INSTALLATION OF BALCONY SOLAR PANELS.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 58-27-10, RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO ADD DEFINITIONS FOR "DIRECT-CURRENT-FAST-CHARGING STATION," "ELECTRIC VEHICLE," AND "ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING PROVIDER"; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 58-27-1060, RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ELECTRIC UTILITIES OR OTHER PROVIDERS THAT OFFER ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC SHALL DO SO ON A FAIR, REASONABLE, AND NONDISCRIMINATORY BASIS AND SHALL NOT PROVIDE AN UNREASONABLE ADVANTAGE FOR DIRECT-CURRENT-FAST-CHARGING STATIONS; AND TO REGULATE REVENUE. - RATIFIED TITLE

Bill H 4376 is a House Resolution expressing support for the Williams Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project. It does not enact new legislation but rather formally states the South Carolina House of Representatives' approval of this project, which aims to increase natural gas access and energy capacity in the state.

S. 556 creates a 25% tax credit for businesses investing in equipment to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) from landfill gas. The credit covers costs for purchasing, installing, and preparing equipment for commercial use (like processing and transporting RNG), with a maximum annual limit of $5 million or 25% of qualifying costs, whichever is lower. Businesses must get certification from the State Energy Office for equipment placed in service after 2025, and unused credits can be carried forward for up to 15 years. The tax credit applies to income tax or license fees for tax years 2026 through 2031.

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO DECLARE ENERGY BURDEN A CRISIS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND ACTION TO ADDRESS ENERGY AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES, AND TO RECOGNIZE SEPTEMBER 24, 2025, AS "SOUTH CAROLINA ENERGY JUSTICE DAY."

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-3695, RELATING TO ALTERNATIVE FUEL PROPERTY INCOME TAX CREDIT, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN LEASES, TO ADD ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT TO THE DEFINITION OF "ELIGIBLE PROPERTY," AND TO ADD ELECTRICITY TO THE DEFINITION OF "ALTERNATIVE FUEL."

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 48-23-185 SO AS TO DEFINE "BIOMASS" AND OTHER RELEVANT TERMS; TO REQUIRE THAT ENERGY PRODUCED FROM CERTAIN SOURCES BE CONSIDERED CARBON NEUTRAL AND FROM OTHER SOURCES CARBON NEGATIVE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. - RATIFIED TITLE

A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO DECLARE ENERGY BURDEN A CRISIS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND ACTION TO ADDRESS ENERGY AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES, AND TO RECOGNIZE SEPTEMBER 24, 2025, AS "SOUTH CAROLINA ENERGY JUSTICE DAY."