S.C. Energy Office

Renewable Energy

Regulatory Task Force for Coastal Clean Energy

The Regulatory Task Force for Coastal Clean Energy was established as an objective of a 2008 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy titled: The South Carolina Roadmap to Gigawatt-Scale Coastal Clean Energy Generation: Transmission, Regulation & Demonstration. The goal of the grant is to identify and overcome existing barriers for coastal clean energy development for wind, wave and tidal energy projects in South Carolina. Efforts included in the grant include an offshore wind transmission study; a wind, wave & current study; and creation of the Regulatory Task Force.

The mission of the Regulatory Task Force is to foster a regulatory environment conducive to wind, wave and tidal energy development in state waters. The Regulatory Task Force is comprised of the full spectrum of state and federal regulatory and resource protection agencies, universities, private industry and utility companies. The Regulatory Task Force was established in April 2009 and has held regular meetings since that time.

The Regulatory Task Force has made significant progress over the past several months in identifying issues and potential regulatory barriers to the development of offshore wind in South Carolina. The work of this Task Force has been well received, with its recommendations adopted by the legislative Wind Production Farms Feasibility Study Committee in their final report.

Workshop on Offshore Wind Energy Development
As part of an effort to advance South Carolina’s understanding of offshore wind energy development issues, the Regulatory Task Force held a workshop in late March 2010. This event was chiefly organized by the SC Energy Office, SC DHEC’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, the SC Sea Grant Consortium and the SC Department of Natural Resources, with sponsorships provided by the City of Charleston, SCANA, GE, Research Planning, Inc., and Pacific Energy Ventures.

Below are presentations and additional information from the Workshop on Offshore Wind Energy Development.

Participant List for Workshop on Offshore Wind

Establishing a Policy and Regulatory Framework – March 24, 2010

The Potential for Wind Energy Development in South Carolina
Dr. Nicholas Rigas

Developing a South Carolina Framework: Permitting Options for Offshore Wind
Barbara Neale

Developing a South Carolina Framework: Leasing Options for Offshore Wind
M. Richard DeVoe

The Texas Experience with Offshore Wind
Dwain Rogers

The Massachusetts Experience with Offshore Wind
Bruce Carlisle

A Consultant's Perspective on Offshore Wind Projects
Mike Ludwig

Perspectives from the US Military
Paul Friday

Onshore Implications of Ocean Energy Development – March 25, 2010

Grid Influence on Offshore Wind Energy Siting
Elizabeth Kress