Bill > H5215

This bill, titled the "South Carolina Ratepayer Protection and Large Load Customer Infrastructure Accountability Act," aims to ensure that large electricity consumers, such as data centers (defined as facilities over 5,000 square feet housing computer systems), do not unfairly burden existing utility customers with their infrastructure costs. It mandates that any "incremental costs" (additional expenses) incurred by electrical utilities to serve these "large load customers" (those with a projected peak demand of at least 50MW) cannot be passed on to other customer classes, a principle known as "ratepayer neutrality." To achieve this, large load customers must enter into contracts with utilities, approved by the Public Service Commission, that detail infrastructure needs, include provisions for demand response or higher reliability charges, establish minimum service thresholds for at least twenty years, and require the customer to cover remaining costs if they terminate service early. The bill also sets review standards for the Public Service Commission, allowing them to consider factors like job creation, demand volatility, and environmental impact when approving contracts, and requires annual reports from large load customers detailing their electricity and water usage, as well as any incentives received. Furthermore, it introduces requirements for public notice and hearings at the local level before permits or incentives are granted to potential large load customers, and mandates that these customers submit water resource plans, including drought contingency plans, to the Department of Environmental Services, which will then verify adherence to these plans during droughts.

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https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=5215&session=126&summary=B