South Carolina Sierra Club

2024 Conservation Priorities 

Protecting South Carolina's Waterways

South Carolina's waterways play a pivotal role in the state's economic, recreational, and environmental well-being. A rich network of rivers, lakes, and wetlands supports the communities, agriculture, industry, and diverse ecosystems that are central to the state's identity and economy. However, the health and productivity of these waterways are constantly threatened by land use change and pollution. The Coalition supports increased transparency and accountability as tools to help protect local waterways by amending the Pollution Control Act to require signs identifying the location of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit outlets.

Supporting a Clean and Just Energy Transition 

The time has come for South Carolina to decide how it will meet growing electricity demands stemming from an influx of residents, development, and manufacturing investment in the state. Our current reliance on fossil fuels results in an unreliable grid, high and volatile ratepayer costs, and greater emissions adversely impacting our environment. The Coalition supports a sensible phase-out of fossil fuels accompanied by a just transition to clean energy that reduces emissions, mitigates cost risk to customers, minimizes impacts to high-value habitats, increases affordability, and ensures reliability for all. Energy sources such as solar and battery storage paired with market reform strategies provide an opportunity to meet generation requirements without negative impacts on ratepayer bills or the air, land, and water that all South Carolinians depend on.

Investing in the Preservation and Conservation of Land 

As rapid land development continues in South Carolina, it is important to protect the precious natural resources that sustain our quality of life. The Coalition supports efforts to double the number of protected lands to safeguard water quality, mitigate flooding, protect rural communities and economies, conserve culturally significant sites, and provide public access for recreation and subsistence uses. To help us reach this goal, we support H. 3951, the Working Agricultural Lands Bill, and H. 3121, the Trails Tax Credit Bill. 

Charleston County officials looking to create a “Climate Action Plan”