Environment (Recycling)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ALL EFFORTS TO REDUCE WASTE GENERATION AND INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WASTE DIVERSION THROUGH RECYCLING INITIATIVES IN ORDER TO ADDRESS DECREASING DISPOSAL CAPACITY.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 97 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO ESTABLISH A BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING PROGRAM BY WHICH BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTORS OPERATING WITHIN SOUTH CAROLINA ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND PAY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE DEPOSITS ON BEVERAGE CONTAINERS COLLECTED FROM DEALERS OR CONSUMERS, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; TO ESTABLISH AN INITIAL REFUND VALUE FOR DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINERS; TO CREATE A DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER FUND IN THE OFFICE OF THE STATE TREASURER TO BE USED FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES; TO REQUIRE THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL TO CONDUCT AUDITS OF THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF REDEMPTION CENTERS FOR THE COLLECTION AND PROCESSING OF DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINERS REGULATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES; TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION OF CERTIFIED REDEMPTION CENTERS; TO REQUIRE REPORTING BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN STATE AGENCIES TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHAPTER; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING REGULATIONS; TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES AND THE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES THROUGH AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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.