NEWS BRIEFS: Conservationists applaud PSC decision on rooftop solar

Staff reports  |  The state Public Service Commission (PSC) on Wednesday unanimously rejected a rate plan by Dominion Energy that conservationists said would have made it too costly for homeowners to add rooftop solar panels. 

Instead, regulators adopted an alternative pricing plan that’s being  hailed as a win for energy independence and a victory for the rooftop solar industry. (You can find the Wednesday meeting  here.)

“Today’s ruling will allow this important industry to continue to grow and provide ratepayers the freedom to reduce energy bills and emissions,” said John Tynan, executive director of the Conservation voters of South Carolina.  “This ruling also demonstrates that the PSC is faithfully implementing the Energy Freedom Act, is standing up for the best interests of all customers, and is not afraid to push back on egregious proposals by the utility monopolies. In short, today is a bright day for solar in South Carolina.”

Tynan said ratepayers wanted a fair rooftop solar plan. 

“This ruling shows a broader trend for energy decisions in South Carolina — that there’s a new PSC in town. We finally have a Public Service Commission that will listen to experts, thoughtfully consider public input, and encourage robust engagement from stakeholders as the Commission helps to chart the path forward for South Carolina’s energy future — even when it means pushing back against the utility monopolies.”

In other recent news:

Ranked second in the country.  Academic Magnet High School has once again been put on the national honor roll by U.S. News & World Report, ranked as the No. 2 high school in the U.S. in its 2021 rankings.  Charleston County’s school for high-achieving students, situated in North Charleston, is no stranger to the U.S. News list, having made the top two positions each of the last three years. In 2019, the school was named the top high school in America. Also atop the list in South Carolina were Charleston School of the Arts, which shares a campus with Academic Magnet, and Wando High in Mount Pleasant. The three schools were the only Charleston County high schools in the top 1,000 in the nation.

State Senate approves 2021-22 budget.  South Carolina senators on Thursday approved the state’s budget for next fiscal year but spent more time talking about social issues important to conservative members.  Previous coverage:  Debate to start on $11.4 billion budget.

Pence tests waters in Columbia. Former vice President Mike Pence put down a marker for a potential run in the 2024 election before an audience in Columbia Thursday during his first speech since leaving office.  He touted accomplishments of the Trump administration.

S.C. Senate ready to debate open carry of guns. South Carolina senators took several steps Thursday to bring to a vote a bill that would allow licensed people to openly carry pistols and not hide them under a jacket.

Scott’s national rebuttal: U.S. isn’t racist country. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott took the national stage Wednesday to make the Republican response to Democratic President Joe Biden’s speech to a joint session of Congress. The Senate’s only Black Republican, Scott said, “America is not a racist country” and said the economy under previous Republican President Donald Trump boomed, especially for Black and brown people. Read the full transcript here. 

NextEra withdraws Santee Cooper bid.  NextEra Energy has withdrawn its offer to purchase Santee Cooper, a move that effectively ends the years-long debate over whether to sell South Carolina’s embattled electric and water utility, according to findings from The Post and Courier. This means the public utility will likely remain in state hands for the time being.

S.C. launches statewide effort against human trafficking.  The South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force on Wednesday announced the launch of the South Carolina Highway Heroes Campaign to help fight human trafficking in the Palmetto State. The campaign offers a free Truckers Against Trafficking online training to the state’s more than 100,000 commercially licensed drivers in the state.