State senators voted 44-1 Thursday to reform, but not sell, South Carolina’s embattled power and water utility. The decision comes as Santee Cooper moves on from its $4 billion nuclear blunder as state leaders struggle to hold the state agency more accountable to utility watchdogs and customers in the future.
The measure dashes immediate hopes of NextEra, which has been spending mightily to buy the utility. The reform bill now goes to a House-Senate compromise committee for consideration. More: The Post and Courier
Also in today’s headlines:
State senators ask S.C. prosecutors to probe DJJ audit. A South Carolina Senate panel looking into an audit of the state agency that houses and educates juvenile offenders has now asked S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson to probe the same report to decide whether anyone may have acted “improperly or criminally.” More: The State
Scott to deliver GOP response to Biden’s first presidential speech to Congress. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, will deliver Republicans’ rebuttal to President Joe Biden’s joint address to Congress next week. Scott’s selection underscores the party’s efforts to unite and expand its appeal after its 2020 losses. More: Associated Press
Waccamaw Indian People still fighting for federal recognition. An effort started 30 years ago for the Waccamaw Indian People’s tribe to be justly acknowledged by the federal government is far from over. More: The Post and Courier
S.C. residents planting millions of seeds to mitigate effects of flooding. Students and other volunteers scattered more than 3 million loblolly pine seeds across South Carolina Thursday in an effort to help mitigate the effects of flooding statewide and in celebration of Earth Day. More: Associated Press
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