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South Carolina

State Energy Overview

South Carolina is heavily invested in conventional, fossil fuel energy sources that are risky and costly, funneling billions of dollars out of the state each year.  With the second highest percentage of nuclear power of any state in the country, South Carolinians face rising electricity prices and water-intensive energy production.

sclady.jpg Although several local governments and some members of the General Assembly are beginning to take action, more leadership is needed from South Carolina’s elected officials.  With abundant offshore wind potential, untapped opportunities to promote energy efficiency and innovative bioenergy research taking place, South Carolina can move decidedly in the direction of clean and renewable energy sources—but not without an engaged citizenry and proactive leaders. 
 

BioEnergy

South Carolina Climate Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee (CECAC)
SC Energy Office
SC Biomass Council
SC Forestry Association  
Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition   
SAFER Alliance (Southern Agriculture and Forest Energy Resources Alliance)

Wind

The South Carolina Energy Office (SCEO) serves to organize and distribute information regarding a number of renewable energy technologies, including wind energy.  The SCEO partnered with Santee Cooper to produce a comprehensive set of wind studies in the state. These studies are available on the SCEO wind page. 

The South Carolina Coastal Wind Power Project is a project that is intended to promote the use of wind power in South Carolina to diversify its energy resources, promote economic development and improve the environment. Partners include Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, and Santee Cooper.

NUCLEAR

Join Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s efforts to fight against new nuclear power plant proposals here in the Southeast and advocate for safe, clean and affordable energy choices that can reduce global warming pollution now including energy efficiency and conservation, wind, solar and bioenergy.  With an already high reliance on nuclear power and with nearly all utilities in the region pushing for new, higher cost nuclear plants, the time is now to take action.

Nuclear power is an extremely risky and expensive way to boil water to generate electricity.  Though nuclear power plants do not release carbon dioxide like coal plants, they do release radioactive and hazardous materials, including long-lived, highly radioactive waste, that threaten our security, jeopardize our health and pollute our natural resources.  The consequences of an accident or terrorist attack at a nuclear power plant could be devastating.  Nuclear plants are also huge water users that deplete limited and precious water resources.  To build new nuclear plants would be a waste of the valuable time and money needed to address global warming.

Related Resources

Friends of the Lowcountry
Friends of the Lowcountry is a coalition of organizations in South Carolina that are working to bring global warming solutions to our state and our nation. We are calling on President Obama and members of the South Carolina Congressional delegation to take bold action to protect South Carolina’s lowlands from the threat of rising sea levels by cutting global warming pollution 80 percent by 2050.

This coalition is dedicated to raising public awareness about the impact global warming will have on the people, economy and environment of South Carolina. Join SACE and other national and state-wide organizations to help save the lowcountry from becoming no country!  Check out the website www.savethelowcountry.org to see media generated from our launch event.

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The image above depicts the billboards that have been placed on I-26, I-526 and I-95

SC Says No
Nearly thirty community organizations across South Carolina are united against Santee Cooper's proposed coal fired power plant on the banks of the Great Pee Dee River.  Students, local residents and concerned citizens from across the state realize that South Carolina doesn't need another dirty coal plant.  Coal pollutes our air and water, endangers our public health and costs South Carolina billions importing dirty coal from out-of-state.   

Join SACE and community organizations from across South Carolina in promoting energy efficiency and clean energy to strenghten South Carolina's economy, protect the state's rich natural heritage and improve our country's energy security. 

South Carolina Energy Office
The South Carolina Energy Office, through the Plan for State Energy Policy, provides a broad range of resources designed to help citizens, businesses, and public entities save energy - and money - through greater efficiency, better information and enhanced environmental quality. 

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is a national trade association representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, services providers, parts manufacturers, utilities, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry - one of the world's fastest growing energy industries. In addition, AWEA represents hundreds of wind energy advocates from around the world. 
 

Take Action

Press Releases

Related Reports

Related Position Statements

Related Testimony

 

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