South Carolina Ratepayer Protection And Large Load Customer Infrastructure Accountability Act (HB 5215, SC)

Requires Public Service Commission to approve electric utility contracts with large load customers before providing service. Contract requirements include: required improvements by utility, reliability surcharge or load flexibility, minimum 20 years service so as to cover all costs due to large load customers, agreement to pay remainder in case of terminating service. Utilities may not offer large load customers discounts that shift costs to other customers. Commission only approves contracts that guarantee cost covering and “provide a public net benefit to the State” in other regards, including jobs, environment, water. Financial assurance to be required. Large load customers to report electricity and water usage annually; reports to be made public. Incentives to large load customers conditioned on following various legal requirements and mitigating community impacts. Public hearings required for local incentives. Water usage and discharge details to be submitted prior to operations to Department of Environmental Services and hold hearing. Water usage to be verified.