I had the privilege today to speak on behalf of not only 3,000 SC residents working in the solar field; but also for the millions of others in our state who are tired of the control utilities have on our energy policies and options.
Today reminded me of earlier battles I’ve been honored to help lead: On The Record Voting , Insurance Coverage for Autistic Children to name a few. In all those instances, it’s been the people OUTSIDE THE CHAMBERS speaking up, getting involved, and helping pave the way for the legislators to have the courage to vote for change – for the little guy – and not the status quo. Today was a good day.
We all know how the utilities completely mismanaged (nicest word I can use) the VC Summer project and how millions are left paying for something that will never benefit them. Those same utilities are now fighting to keep our state from offering ways to lower our citizens’ power bills thru the use of solar energy. Their greed is astounding. Those same opponents are also jeopardizing another 3,000 jobs in our state if the SC General Assembly does not remove the artificial cap from that bill over 4 years ago – a miniscule 2% was all that we could get passed back then. Today, the utilities admit that the 2% cap will be reached in the months ahead or by the end of the year at the latest. If no action is taken, more jobs will be lost and one of the few options ratepayers have in our monopolistic market will be gone.
Four years ago , the General Assembly unanimously passed a bill paving the way for SC to quickly become a leader in solar energy growth. This week we have a chance to continue that growth – and do so with bipartisan support. As noted conservative Erick Erickson shared earlier this year , “Liberals have dominated the clean-energy conversation for a while. They define conservatives as being dirty polluters. Now, conservatives are not only claiming the high ground in the clean-energy fight but also proving the free market can sort out even this issue without overregulation and subsidization.”
I look forward to the debate later this week. I’m used to fighting uphill battles for the little-guy. I’m used to putting People above Politics. With the help of those workers today making their voice heard, we can make a difference for our state – a difference in keeping and growing jobs and in keeping our state moving forward with lower cost energy options for our ratepayers.
If you haven’t contacted your Representative yet; please do so. Let him/her know you oppose H.5045 (pro-utility bill filed March 1st and miraculously made it to House Floor 5 days later). Let them know you support H.4421!