Co-op Day at the Statehouse
March 1, 2024
Downtown Columbia may be outside Palmetto Electric’s assigned service territory, but your electric cooperative is working for you there, too.
Every year, we send cooperative liaisons to the South Carolina State House to represent your interests on everything from energy policy to economic development to broadband expansion. We know that what happens in our state’s capital can have a massive impact on our members’ pocketbooks and quality of life.
That’s why last month, Palmetto Electric took part in an event we call Co-op Day. We were among the hundreds of South Carolina electric cooperative linemen, staff, managers, and directors who visited the offices of our state representatives and filled the lobby of the State House to speak with them about what’s important to our members and thank them for their support.
Over the last few years, state lawmakers have debated bills that affected power costs, cooperative governance, electric reliability, and funding for crucial services your co-op provides. This year’s session is no different. We expect legislators to focus heavily on energy issues this year as our state seeks to address the need for more generation to supply our growing demands. South Carolina, with its remarkable economic growth, is facing a surge in energy demand. The expansion of manufacturing, the rise of clean energy industries, and the influx of companies associated with the movement toward electric transportation have all contributed to this need.
We spend a lot of time talking with state leaders about topics that are important to the co-ops. We are thankful for our elected oficials who listen to the needs of our members and have had our back through thick and thin.
That’s why South Carolina’s electric cooperatives recently presented Senate President Thomas Alexander with the first-ever Electric Cooperative Outstanding Public Service Award. The new honor recognizes distinguished leaders who have demonstrated unwavering support of South Carolina’s electric cooperatives.
If history is any indication, we’re confident there will be worthy candidates for the award for years to come.
A. Berl Davis Jr.
President and CEO