(A) It is the policy of this State to have a comprehensive state energy plan that maximizes to the extent practical environmental quality and energy conservation and efficiency and minimizes the cost of energy throughout the State. To implement this policy there is adopted the Plan for State Energy Policy.

(B) The purpose of the plan is to:

(1) ensure access to energy supplies at the lowest practical environmental and economic cost;

(2) ensure long-term access to adequate, reliable energy supplies;

(3) ensure that demand-side options are pursued wherever economically and environmentally practical;

(4) encourage the development and use of clean energy resources, including nuclear energy, energy conservation and efficiency, and indigenous, renewable energy resources;

(5) ensure that basic energy needs of all citizens, including low income citizens, are met;

(6) ensure that energy vulnerability to international events is minimized;

(7) ensure that energy-related decisions promote the economic and environmental well-being of the State and maximize the ability of South Carolina to attract retirees, tourists, and industrial and service-related jobs;

(8) ensure that short-term energy decisions do not conflict with long-range energy needs;

(9) ensure that internal governmental energy use patterns are consistent with the state's long-range interests;

(10) ensure that state government is organized appropriately to handle energy matters in the best public interest;

(11) ensure that governmental energy-related tax, expenditure, and regulatory policies are appropriate, and, wherever possible, maximize the long-range benefits of competition; and

(12) ensure that any future energy strategy that promotes carbon-free, nongreenhouse gas emitting sources includes nuclear energy, renewable resources, and energy conservation and efficiency.

HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 449, Part II, Section 1; 2009 Act No. 19, Section 3, eff May 19, 2009.

Effect of Amendment

The 2009 amendment, in item (4), added "clean energy resources, including nuclear energy, energy conservation and efficiency, and", and added item (12) relating to future energy strategy.