Alexander says lawmakers need to step up on energy

By Brett McLaughlin
Upstate Today
September 16, 2008

The leader of the South Carolina Senate says the state needs a comprehensive energy plan.

Walhalla Sen. Thomas Alexander said his State Regulation of Public Utilities Review Committee is excited and ready to go to work to make that happen.

Alexander said Monday the committee would begin work within a week, hoping to have recommendations ready by the end of the year.

Charleston Sen. Glenn McConnell wrote Alexander’s committee, outlining challenges the state faces. The president pro tem of the Senate said South Carolina faces problems that go well beyond $4 per gallon gasoline prices and double-digit increases in wholesale power costs prompted by coal prices.

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