A step forward, a reason for hope

August 1, 2025

At Palmetto Electric Cooperative, our promise to our members has always been clear—to deliver energy that is safe, dependable, and affordable, not just for today, but for future generations, too. This promise is especially important now as South Carolina continues to grow. With new homes, schools, and more industries continuing to pop up, the demand for electricity is rising faster than any of us has seen before. To keep up with this growing demand, we need energy policies that promote smart planning and smart investment.

Earlier this year, the South Carolina General Assembly took a meaningful step forward by passing the South Carolina Energy Security Act (H. 3309). This important legislation begins to address the growing strain on our state’s electric grid. It opens the door for additional power generation, streamlines regulatory processes and places long-term grid reliability at the forefront of South Carolina’s energy planning.

At Palmetto Electric, we have been advocating for these kinds of changes for a long time. We know that maintaining balance between affordability, reliability and planning for growth in our communities is a tough challenge. But this new bill is a sign that our state leaders are really listening, and it provides hope that together, we can make things better. We’re especially thankful for the support of our local legislative delegation, whose leadership and commitment were instrumental in advancing the Energy Security Act and moving South Carolina toward a more resilient energy future.

While the new legislation puts us on a better path, there is still important work ahead. Building new infrastructure takes time. It requires careful planning, teamwork and the support of people across our state. It’s going to take collaboration between cooperatives, lawmakers, regulators and each of you, as our members, to ensure our grid can handle future demands without sacrificing the reliable service you expect and deserve.

At Palmetto Electric, we’re focused on the tasks at hand. We’re making sure to engage in state and national discussions so that your voice isn’t just heard but valued. We are committed to keeping you informed throughout this process, because we know that trust and transparency are what being part of a cooperative is all about.

As we look ahead, challenges are bound to arise, but so are new opportunities. With each opportunity comes a renewed sense of purpose. That purpose fuels our commitment to building strong partnerships, reinforces our focus on long-term reliability and guides us as we work together to shape a future that reflects the values and vision of the communities we serve.

Thank you for your continued support as we continue putting in hard work to fulfill our shared mission—to make life better for the communities we serve.

A. Berl Davis Jr.

President and CEO