What is the issue?

South Carolina has no coal or uranium deposits. It lacks significant oil and gas resources. As a result, less than 2% of the energy South Carolina uses actually comes from the Palmetto State; it sends over 13 billion dollars every year to other states and foreign nations to import the rest. We are missing out on valuable investment and job creation opportunities if we do not begin to develop a domestic energy resource. And in South Carolina, that home-grown resource is renewable energy: hydro, biomass, solar and wind.

How would it affect South Carolina?

South Carolina has tremendous home-grown, renewable energy resources. One day it may be feasible to power the majority of the state from these resources, thanks to the state’s world-class offshore wind resource. Over the next tens years or so, more than 15% of the state’s electric power can come from biomass, solar, and hydro. Not only would meeting such a goal greatly increase the state’s energy independence, it would create thousands of new jobs and keep billions of hard-earned South Carolina dollars in the state.

What can you do about it?

To kick South Carolina’s habit for out-of-state energy, our state’s leaders must prioritize home-grown energy as part of a comprehensive state energy plan. Thirty-four states, including North Carolina, Florida and Texas, now require their utilities to generate a certain share of their electricity from renewables. South Carolina can join these states. Our state can attract renewable energy industries and foster entrepreneurship by offering a more competitive array of financial incentives and programs. Law-makers can involve citizens by making it easier to generate energy at home or at the office.