Energy

Affordable energy is essential for every household and business across our state. Unfortunately, South Carolinians pay the highest electricity bills in the country, and some of the highest rates. Each month rate-payers foot the bill for years of a stagnant, state-controlled energy status quo. It’s time to open up South Carolina’s energy markets to the power of competition.

The Latest

Blog
September 24, 2024

A Roadmap for Energy Reform

Palmetto Promise Team

South Carolina is facing an energy crisis.   In 2016, the average energy bill was higher for South Carolinians than for energy customers in any other state. We are still in the top five both nationally and in the Southeast. And it looks like power giant Santee Cooper is set to raise rates even higher.  On

Blog
July 31, 2024

July 31: That Humiliating Anniversary

Oran P. Smith, Ph.D

It was a high honor for Virgil C. Summer when SCE&G named its new power plant for him. After all, in 1984, V.C. Summer I was an impressive engineering feat. The new nuclear reactor generated a whopping 966 MW of electricity, and its construction was so efficient that it cost far less per MW generated

Blog
July 15, 2024

NEW REPORT: Small Modular Reactors – an Answer to South Carolina’s Energy Crisis?

Jennifer Buckley

We are excited to share our latest energy report, which looks at the possibility of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a solution to what is undoubtedly an energy crisis in South Carolina. DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT. What is the current state of energy in South Carolina? South Carolina’s energy status is characterized by outrageous costs

Blog
October 20, 2022

ESG…OMG!

Oran P. Smith, Ph.D

Conservative author and commentator William F. Buckley famously said that “a conservative is someone who stands athwart history, yelling ‘Stop!’” He also suggested that there would be consequences for attempting to shovel sand in the gears of the progressive machine. Among those who were thought to be Chicken Littles were conservative financial policy experts who

News
August 3, 2022

Palmetto Promise Institute and Conservative Energy Network Release “Spectrum of Reform” Electricity Price Study

Palmetto Promise Team

A new study released today by Palmetto Promise Institute (PPI) and The Conservative Energy Network (CEN) titled “Assessing the Spectrum of Reform: How Collaboration & Competition in South Carolina Could Help Lower Some of America’s Highest Electricity Bills” examines how electricity competition could save Palmetto State residents money.

Blog
September 14, 2021

Santee Cooper Mythology: Newest Numbers Retell the Tale

Oran P. Smith, Ph.D

No doubt one of the most tragic figures in Greek mythology was the Trojan princess Cassandra (known as Alexandra to the Romans). Then who can forget Sisyphus? Believe it or not, Sisyphus and Cassandra are each representative of the tale of Santee Cooper and one of the utility’s critics.