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TO DIRECT THE STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO MAKE ALL STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CARBON FREE BY 2050.
Whereas, carbon-free power offers many benefits to the economy, environment, and public health, as it produces little to no carbon emissions, reduces air and water pollution, provides an inexhaustible supply of energy, creates new jobs, and provides energy at affordable, stable pricing; and
Whereas, carbon-free power alternatives include wind, solar, and hydro power generation; and
Whereas, in a growing push toward this new model of sustainability, nine states across the country, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have enacted policies to move toward one hundred percent clean energy by 2050 or earlier through clean energy standards and emission reduction targets; and
Whereas, although South Carolina does have a developing renewable energy market, the State is still largely dependent upon carbon-based power; and
Whereas, supporting carbon-free power would allow the State of South Carolina to attract businesses to this great State and incentivize the growth of our economy while recognizing the importance of sourcing carbon-free energy to power our homes and businesses; and
Whereas, South Carolina's state government should lead by example and source carbon-free energy to provide power to state government buildings and structures. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The State Energy Office shall develop and provide recommendations to implement a plan to make all state government operations carbon free by 2050. The State Energy Office must submit a report of the plan and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2021.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on January 21, 2020 at 2:18 PM