SCBIZ Daily Staff

COLUMBIA – A new program is being offered through Palmetto Clean Energy that allows state residents to purchase blocks of electricity generated from renewable or “clean” sources, such as wind, solar and biomass.

The program is one of the first multi-utility programs in the nation and sets the stage for residents to support local renewable energy providers and improve the environment.

PaCE is a collaborative program among Duke Energy Carolinas, Progress Energy Carolinas, South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., the South Carolina Energy Office and the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff. The initiative is designed to encourage the development of green power in the state by helping local generators offset the high cost of generating electricity from renewable energy resources.

"There is a growing interest across the nation in renewable forms of energy and PaCE will provide an opportunity for our state's citizens and utility customers to support these efforts through a donation or by purchasing a block of renewable energy from PaCE through these participating utilities," said Dukes Scott, executive director of the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff.

Customers of the state's investor-owned utilities can support Palmetto Clean Energy through voluntary tax-deductible contributions on their monthly bills that are passed through to PaCE. Each $4 contribution purchases a 100 kilowatt-hour block of "clean" energy from renewable or alternative energy sources that will be placed on the state's power grid. A one-time, tax- deductible contribution can also be made by anyone wanting to support PaCE.

In addition to supporting the program by enrolling customers, Duke Energy Carolinas, Progress Energy Carolinas and South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. are also investing in PaCE by providing initial funding.

Palmetto Clean Energy (PaCE) is a non-profit renewable energy program designed to encourage the development of renewable energy resources that improve the environment through reduced greenhouse-gas emissions.