Voices for Energy Freedom in South Carolina
We’re on the way to huge clean energy progress in the Southeast. This month we joined over 120 solar advocates to take the South Carolina State House and deliver a powerful message: South Carolina needs energy freedom, NOW.
WATCH the Rally for South Carolina Energy Freedom »
We’re making substantial progress in South Carolina because of the thousands standing up for solar savings, local jobs and a brighter energy future for all.
Together, we passed the Energy Freedom Act through the South Carolina House with an incredible 110-0 unanimous victory, sending it on to the Senate. Then we rallied with solar workers, conservation voters, conservative coalitions and clean energy leaders from across the state to call for swift passage of this bill that will protect your solar rights and provide relief from high energy costs.
And on April 9, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard our message loud and clear, voting to pass the Energy Freedom Act out of committee and move it to the full Senate floor. We may see a vote on this bill by the full Senate as soon as April 23rd.
The Rally for Energy Freedom on April 2, 2019 brought together employees from Cypress Creek Renewables, Southern Current, Sunrun, and the Solar Energy Industries Association, as well as representatives from Conservation Voters of South Carolina, Coastal Conservation League, Upstate Forever, and more solar supporters from across the political spectrum, along with Vote Solar.
Kasey Komadina is proud that he’s been part of South Carolina solar from the ground up. He joined dozens of his fellow solar workers at the rally, sharing that solar “has had a huge impact on families — not only with jobs, but freedom and rights for homeowners, and putting control of their bill in their hands.”
The Energy Freedom Act would increase energy competition and give families and businesses more energy choices by lifting unnecessary restrictions on the solar industry. Sens. Tom Davis and Greg Gregory along with Reps. Peter McCoy and Nathan Ballentine spoke at the rally about the need for urgency in action, encouraging their colleagues in the Senate to move the legislation forward quickly.
“The people of South Carolina are paying attention. They see how it doesn’t make any sense to stick with a 60-year old model that gives certain mega-utilities monopolies. It’s time to open up competition, it’s time to let consumers take advantage of that competition,” Senator Tom Davis said.