A sweeping energy bill is back before the South Carolina Senate this week after the House of Representatives approved significant changes, including the removal of a requirement for improved public notice on new pipeline projects. 

The move has drawn criticism from environmental advocates and raises questions as the legislative session nears its end.

The legislation, H. 3309, addresses various aspects of the state's energy future, notably facilitating a more than $1 billion natural gas plant in Colleton County as a joint project between state-owned Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy. 

Proponents argue the plant and other measures in the bill are crucial for meeting the energy demands of the fast-growing state. The bill also includes provisions to limit legal challenges to energy projects, allow utilities to implement smaller, more frequent rate increases, and encourage nuclear energy development.

However, the House's 88-13 vote last Thursday altered the bill passed by the Senate in early April. Among the dropped provisions were enhanced public notice requirements for projects like pipelines, which have been a point of contention in communities impacted by energy infrastructure. 

Environmentalists argue this change makes it easier for utilities to build projects, potentially including a new pipeline for the proposed Colleton plant, without adequate public awareness.

The House also removed sections related to imposing some controls on energy-intensive data centers and watered-down energy efficiency measures, according to conservation groups. These changes have fueled complaints from senators and environmentalists who contend the revised bill is overly favorable to utility interests at the expense of the public and the environment.

With just days remaining in the 2025 legislative session, the Senate must now decide whether to accept the House's version or seek further compromise on the complex and contentious legislation.