Reference is to the bill as introduced.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the Title but before the enacting words and inserting:
/ Whereas, South Carolina is well suited to meet the workforce and infrastructure needs related to offshore wind-energy development along the East Coast and this development would create long-term, well-paying jobs for the community; and
Whereas, the thirty-three wind energy manufacturing facilities currently operating in South Carolina employ over 1,100 people, generate $530 million of output annually in the State, and support 1,797 indirect and induced jobs statewide; and
Whereas, Clemson University's Wind-Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility in North Charleston is one of a kind and the largest in the world and is well positioned to serve a central role in the further development of a wind-energy industry hub for South Carolina, attracting manufacturers; and
Whereas, South Carolina's shallow-water offshore wind resource is the second largest of the East Coast states and represents a long-term economic investment opportunity, as well as a long-term opportunity for in-state energy production; and
Whereas, Santee Cooper has demonstrated leadership in offshore wind assessment through buoy and SODAR projects collecting wind data in partnership with Coastal Carolina University, and through designing an offshore meteorological platform for further data collection; and
Whereas, offshore wind energy is a domestic source of energy shielded from hostile foreign interests; and
Whereas, the South Carolina coastline is also the location of 52,000 square miles comprising the Regional Military Operating Area bordering coastal Florida, Georgia and South Carolina ("Military Operating Areas") which provide critical flight training areas to support the mission of military aviation forces in the southeastern United States; and
Whereas, it is recognized that the military use of the Military Operating Areas must not be impaired by the installation of wind turbines in areas incompatible with their continued use for vital military training purposes. Now, therefore, /
Amend the bill further, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Chapter 37, Title 58 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 58-37-60.
(A) For purposes of this section:
(1)
'offshore wind-resource development activities' means
initiatives undertaken by an electrical utility for the
long-term advancement of economic development and clean-energy
benefits resulting from offshore wind;
(2)
'used and useful' means an electric utility facility has
commenced commercial operations and is presently providing
actual electric utility service to customers; and
(3)
'prudent' or 'prudence' means and requires a high standard
of care in making decisions and taking actions in order to
protect the public interest.
(B) The South Carolina
Public Service Commission may adopt procedures that encourage
electrical utilities subject to the jurisdiction of the
commission to invest in offshore wind-resource development
activities if the commission determines that adopting these
procedures would be in the best interest of South Carolina
ratepayers.
(C) In considering an
application under this act, the commission must not approve an
application without making findings that approval of the
application is reasonably expected to result in the development
of energy resources that benefit South Carolina and are in
ratepayers' best interest considering:
(1)
reduced electric rates;
(2)
economic development benefits for residents within the
State; and
(2)
environmental impacts.
(D) Offshore wind
resource development activities undertaken by an electrical
utility may include only:
(1)
offshore wind-potential studies;
(2)
a demonstration project developed in collaboration with
regional electrical utility partners or other electrical utility
partners of this State;
(3)
utility transmission and distribution system improvements
associated with a demonstration wind project;
(4)
regional initiatives that include out-of-state
partnerships for data gathering activities related to future
offshore wind deployment; and
(5)
partnership initiatives with colleges and
universities.
(E) Nothing in this
section is meant to require an electrical utility subject to the
jurisdiction of the commission to invest in offshore
wind-resource development activities.
(F) In considering an
application for approval under this act of any offshore
wind-resource development activities in areas that comprise a
portion of the Military Training Areas bordering South Carolina
or Georgia, the commission must not approve an application
without the prior written concurrence of the applicable federal,
state and local authority.
(G) A structure
installed to accomplish the purposes of this chapter must not be
visible by the human eye from land."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.