COLUMBIA – On Feb. 18, South Carolinians from across the state gathered at the Statehouse to share their experiences with rising energy costs and urge their legislators to act.
Community members were joined by a broad consortium of organizations, including Conservation Voters of South Carolina, Southern Environmental Law Center, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, League of Women Voters, Coastal Conservation League, the Energy Justice Coalition, New Alpha CDC, Kingdom Living Temple Church, The Whitney M. Slater Foundation, and Pee Dee Group of Sierra Club, working to ensure lawmakers heard directly from their constituents.
Critical affordability and consumer protections were left out of the energy bill that passed last year, and over 60 constituents showed up at the Statehouse to urge their legislators in both chambers to make affordability and consumer protections a high priority this session.
At the event, Rev. Leo Woodberry, Executive Director of New Alpha Community Development Corporation, said, “In a land that proclaims liberty and justice for all, there can be no true justice when profits and technological advances are built on the unmet needs and financial hardship of South Carolinians. Energy affordability remains one of the greatest challenges facing our state today. And it is a challenge that the people of SC are called to address."
This event was an opportunity for South Carolinians to voice their concerns and share stories with their elected officials about how energy affordability is directly impacting them and their communities, especially as electric bills continue to rise and more residents are forced to choose between keeping their lights on and purchasing food or medicine.
“High energy costs have a real impact on Tribal and rural communities across South Carolina, where families, elders, and community organizations are already working with limited resources. For many Native communities, rising utility bills strain household budgets, community facilities, and cultural spaces, making it harder to care for elders, sustain programming, and invest in long-term stability. Speaking with legislators about energy affordability is important to me because access to affordable, reliable energy is essential to community well-being, equity, and the ability for communities to thrive,” said attendee Joshua Shumak, Vice Chief of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians.
As advocacy groups continue to work towards implementing affordable energy policy solutions for all South Carolinians, it is increasingly important to ensure that everyday residents remain front and center in discussions and have adequate opportunities to speak with their legislators.
For more information, contact Erin Siebert with Conservation Voters of South Carolina at erin@cvsc.org.