Palmetto Industrial Energy Association Created to be a Voice for Common Sense Energy Policy Solutions and 18th February Press ConferenceHello world!
Columbia, South Carolina; 4 February 2025 – Today, the Palmetto Industrial Energy Association (PIEA), an association of industrial users of energy, officially announced its formation as the General Assembly is moving forward with changing state energy policy. With critical energy policy decisions being made right now, industrial users of energy believe South Carolina based manufacturers must have their voices heard.
“The Palmetto Industrial Energy Association consists solely of, and is dedicated to, industrial users of electricity and natural gas” remarked Mr. Scott Elliott General Counsel for PIEA.” We are planning a press conference for 18 February 2025, to speak out on issues critically important to our membership who employ thousands of hard-working men and women across the Palmetto State.”
Our membership consists of large manufacturers such as Alpek Polyester, Amick Farms, Bridgestone, Cooper River, Fitesa, Domtar, Century Aluminum, DSM and Swiss Krono. “This list of well-known South Carolina industrial customers is just the beginning. We aren’t done adding members to the group,” said Mr. Elliott. “There is an overwhelming amount of interest from South Carolina industry concerning the once-in-a generation energy legislation currently being considered by the South Carolina General Assembly.”
The Palmetto Industrial Association is guided by six principles. The six principles that are group will focus on are as follows:
- Limited Retail Choice – 19 U.S. states offer retail choice in various forms. In neighboring Georgia limited retail choice exists and other states such as Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Texas all offer retail choice.
- Behind the Meter – large industrial customers in South Carolina should be able to generate and use their own power with behind the meter generation in a meaningful amount at a reasonable cost.
- Natural Gas – to address the state’s energy demand, South Carolina needs more natural gas and natural gas generation capacity. It’s imperative that we secure permitting reform for the new gas pipelines, new generation and new transmission lines.
- Renewables and Solar – large industrial manufacturers need more meaningful access to renewables and solar for their manufacturing processes. South Carolina law encourages the use of renewable energy sources. It is imperative that large manufacturers in SC have greater access to renewables and solar.
- Reinvestment Rate – to help large manufacturers and encourage economic development, we support the creation of a “reinvestment rate.” The reinvestment rate is different than the traditional economic development rate. It could be made available to historic loads which have previously contributed to the pay-down of the electric system infrastructure.
- Actively engage in and review all legislation and regulations impacting the state’s energy policy to ensure it does no harm to existing industrial customers and ensuring we have reliable and affordable energy for existing South Carolina industry who employ tens of thousands of hardworking residents in the Palmetto State.
About Palmetto Industrial Energy Association
The Palmetto Industrial Energy Association (PIEA) is a watchdog organization whose membership consists solely of, and is dedicated to, industrial users of energy. There is no potential conflict of interest as utilities are not permitted to be members. The Palmetto Industrial Energy Association represents large manufacturers who employ thousands of workers across our state. The PIEA knows that a strong industrial economy will not raise rates on residential and commercial customers, it leads to reduced costs for customers and is a major positive.
Media contact:
Mark Duffy: mduffy@compassglobalcomms.com