Legislative Update Feb. 15-19

Energy and water legislation took precedence last week in the State House for the conservation community. The following bills were in the spotlight in the House and Senate:

S.1096, the Utility Energy Efficiency Financing legislation introduced by Sen. Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston) was favorably passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill would authorize electric and gas utilities to finance residential energy efficiency and conservation measures over a specified time period and collect the principal and interest on the utility bill. CCL supports this bill, which provides the mechanism for energy efficfient retrofits to save money and energy as well as create local jobs. We would like to thank the following members of the Judiciary Committee for supporting this legislation: Senators Glenn McConnell (R-Charleston), Robert Ford (D - Charleston), Larry Martin (R-Pickens), Luke Rankin (R-Horry), Brad Hutto (D-Orangeburg), Jake Knotts, Jr. (R-Lexington), Gerald Malloy (D - Darlington), Vince Sheheen (D-Kershaw), Chip Campsen (R-Charleston), Raymond Cleary (R-Georgetown), Joel Lourie (D-Richland), Kent Williams (D-Marion), Paul Campbell, Jr. (R-Berkeley), Shane Massey (R-Edgefield), Lee Bright (R-Spartanburg), Creighton Coleman (D-Fairfield), Tom Davis (R-Beaufort), Shane Martin (R-Spartanburg), Mick Mulvaney (R-Lancaster), Floyd Nicholson (D-Greenwood), Mike Rose (R-Dorchester), John Scott, Jr. (D-Richland) and Phillip Shoopman (R-Greenville).

The House companion bill, H.4448, by Rep. Sandifer (R-Oconee), is expected to be read to the full House this week as early as Tuesday. It does not appear to have opposition and should be voted our and sent to the Senate.