South Carolina S 329: Targeted Grid Investment Programs

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 329 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 11, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 329

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 
58-33-195, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE AND ENCOURAGE ELECTRICAL UTILITIES TO ESTABLISH 
AND IMPLEMENT TARGETED INVESTMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE RELIABILITY, RESILIENCY, AND 
MODERNIZATION OF DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS.

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Article 3, Chapter 33, Title 58 of the S.C. Code is 
amended by adding:

 Section 
58-33-195. (A) In addition to 
filing certificates for utility infrastructure as provided in this chapter, 
electrical utilities may also seek approval of targeted investment programs for 
reliability, resiliency, and modernization of distribution and transmission 
systems to ensure a reliable, resilient grid serving customers in South 
Carolina.

 (B) 
An electrical utility is hereby authorized and encouraged to establish and 
implement a targeted investment program for the improvement, reliability, and 
resiliency of its distribution and transmission infrastructure. This program 
shall include investments in projects designed to improve service reliability, 
reduce outage risks, and enhance the resiliency of the electrical grid, 
particularly in response to severe weather events, natural disasters, or other 
potential disruptions. This program may also include projects aimed at 
integrating emerging technologies and modernizing the grid.

 (C) 
The electrical utility shall submit an initial investment plan to the 
commission. The commission shall review and issue a decision on the plan within 
one hundred thirty-five days of the utility's submission. The electrical 
utility shall propose material changes or updates to the program on a periodic 
schedule proposed by the electrical utility and subject to review and approval 
by the commission.

 (D) 
The electrical utility may defer in a regulatory asset to be included in its rate 
base, all costs incurred for the planning, development, and implementation of 
such program. Such costs that are deemed reasonable and prudent by the 
commission in rate proceedings shall be recoverable through applicable rates 
and charges. Such costs shall include, but are not limited to, capital costs, 
financing costs, operation and maintenance costs, and other expenses directly 
related to the execution of the targeted investment program.

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval 
by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on February 11, 2025 at 12:37 PM