A compromise House bill will open competition, remove a metering cap and open solar options to lower income residents.

The Energy Freedom Act was passed by the SC House in a unanimous 110-0 vote.

The bill will open energy markets for competition, remove the net metering cap 2 years and provide options for lower-income families and renters to use low cost solar energy.

Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Irmo, said, “This compromise will create and protect thousands of South Carolina jobs and open our energy markets to more competition. A good compromise like this shows that we can put partisanship aside and build a brighter future for all our state’s residents.”

When Duke Energy hit their cap in mid-2018, hundreds of jobs were diverted to other parts of the state and even to other states or were dissolved.

Supporters promised that if the Senate passes the bill, thousands of well-paying jobs will be saved.

It also ensures better, more transparent processes to connect large scale solar projects to the public grid.

With billions in potential investments in waiting, the compromise will help keep important economic projects moving forward, the bill’s supporters said.

With backing from conservation groups, the solar industry, and Duke Energy which serves the upstate, the bill will move to the Senate.

- Jerry Bellune