Alexander says lawmakers need to step up on energy
The leader of the South Carolina Senate says the state needs a comprehensive energy plan.
Walhalla Sen. Thomas Alexander said his State Regulation of Public Utilities Review Committee is excited and ready to go to work to make that happen.
Alexander said Monday the committee would begin work within a week, hoping to have recommendations ready by the end of the year.
Charleston Sen. Glenn McConnell wrote Alexander’s committee, outlining challenges the state faces. The president pro tem of the Senate said South Carolina faces problems that go well beyond $4 per gallon gasoline prices and double-digit increases in wholesale power costs prompted by coal prices.
McConnell said future congressional standards on carbon emissions, the price of raw materials and commodities and the country’s economic slowdown must also be addressed. Alexander agreed.
“We have an awesome responsibility,” the Walhalla Republican said, fresh off a morning appearance with Congressman Gresham Barrett at which Barrett called for new nuclear initiatives. (See related story.) “We need to respond in a manner that plans for the future.”
Alexander said he sees the first course of action to be establishing an inventory of how energy needs are being met today and then communicating with federal representatives how their decisions will impact South Carolina.
“Each state is unique,” Alexander said. “We need to make sure we know what they are planning to do in Washington and informing them how we feel that will impact us.
“Our course, we also need to address energy efficiency and how we can encourage that,” he continued.
Alexander said he feels he is in a unique position to lead his committee’s initiative as both Blue Ridge Electric and Duke Energy are located in the 1st Senatorial District. Additionally, he said Westminster and Seneca are municipal producers of power.
“It’s going to take a coordinated effort by all the stakeholders,” he said. “We are excited and ready to go to work.”
Alexander said the Upstate has great examples of visionaries who have led energy initiatives in the past, including Blue Ridge in the electric cooperative field and Duke in nuclear power.
“Now, it’s our turn, and we need to step up to the plate,” he said.
By Brett McLaughlin
Upstate Today
September 16, 2008