Workforce and Regulation

Energy ‘reform’ bills potential shock to ratepayers’ wallets

Update 5/7/2025: On Wednesday the Senate concurred with the House's 5/1/2025 amendment, striking notification requirements related to eminent domain and all regulatory and incentives language related to data centers. Data centers will no longer be required to enter into their own rate process and contracts and will continue to receive...

Neil Wolin

Written by
April 01, 2025

  • Energy ‘reform’ bills potential shock to ratepayers’ wallets

    Update 5/7/2025: On Wednesday the Senate concurred with the House's 5/1/2025 amendment, striking notification requirements related to eminent domain and all regulatory and incentives language related to data centers. Data centers will no longer be required to enter into their own rate process and contracts and will continue to receive...
    Neil Wolin

    Written by
    April 01, 2025

  • Don't ignore these red flags in South Carolina's energy mega-bill

    Update 4/4/24: The bill passed the House and is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.    RATEPAYERS COULD BE CHARGED FOR ABANDONED UTILITY PROJECTS A massive utility bill (H.5118) awaiting debate on the floor of the S.C. House threatens to blur the line between economic development and energy policy. To...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    March 26, 2024

  • Energy mega-bill reduces checks and balances, pushes new ecodevo projects

    Update 3/20/24: The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee on Wednesday advanced the bill with amendments. Certain details in this summary may not be reflective of the amended bill. Read our updated summary here.  A massive energy bill (H.5118) gaining steam in the House bears resemblance to past legislation that wound up...
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    March 19, 2024

  • Alcohol delivery bill watered down by regulations, licensing requirements

    A bill (H.4364) recently passed by the S.C. House would allow retailers to offer curbside pickup or at-home delivery of beer and wine, subject to licensing requirements, fees and other regulations.
    William Morton

    Written by
    February 23, 2024

  • Analysis: SC lending bill would reduce consumer options, harm competition

    A proposal filed this year would reduce the financial options available to S.C. consumers and could force lenders to exit the state. The Senate bill (S.910) aims to heavily restrict lenders’ ability to market their products, among other measures, potentially making South Carolina untenable for business and cutting off borrowers’...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    February 02, 2024

  • An interest rate cap would harm SC consumers, reduce options

    A legislative proposal filed this year would reduce the borrowing options available to South Carolina consumers and could force lenders to leave the state. The Senate bill (S.518) would set a 36% cap on the annual percentage interest rate (APR) that can be charged for loans, which risks cutting off...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    April 28, 2023

  • McMaster signs bipartisan bill to expedite road work

    On Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law a unanimously passed bill (S.361) that will speed up road improvement projects in South Carolina. The bill simplifies how construction contracts that are awarded by S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) can be extended to include more work.
    Sam Aaron

    Written by
    April 05, 2023

  • South Carolina should remove its cap on title insurance commission

    South Carolina unnecessarily regulates the relationship between title insurance agencies and their underwriters. A recently filed state House bill would embrace the free-market system and allow the two parties to negotiate commission payments on their own terms. Title insurance is a way to protect yourself from financial loss and related legal expenses...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    March 10, 2023

  • Bridging the divide: A balanced approach to short-term rental regulation

    The annual college football game between South Carolina and Georgia kicks off in Columbia this weekend, and local short-term renters couldn’t be happier. A recent search of Airbnb listings in Columbia indicated that far more homes were booked ahead for gameday weekend than the weekend prior (when the UofSC football team was out of...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    September 14, 2022

  • As session wraps up, promising bills near the finish line

    South Carolina’s regular legislative session ends May 12, meaning just three weeks remain (including this one) to send most bills to the governor’s desk for signing. Fortunately, there’s some great legislation near the finish line.  Below is an overview of these proposals, several of which SCPC has supported or sought...
    Bryce Fiedler

    Written by
    April 26, 2022