Thursday, July 24, 2025
Last week, I presented at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)’s Summer Study on Industry. The conference, themed “Industrial Competitiveness and the Evolving Energy Landscape,” centered around innovation, efficiency, and advances in energy solutions for the industrial sector, which accounts for one-third of total U.S. energy consumption. Presentations covered a broad spectrum, including industrial heat pumps, the role of leadership, and data centers.
My presentation explored how cross-sector collaboration can…
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The Conservation League is excited to announce the appointment of two new members of the Board of Directors: Darcy Mauro and Duncan Mégroz. Darcy and Duncan share the Conservation League’s passion for protecting our environment and the coastal plain. Their involvement will be a tremendous asset to the Conservation League and to the protection of the South Carolina coast.
Darcy Mauro has lived on Sullivan’s Island for 20 years, where she recently…
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Santee Cooper wants to cut down hundreds of trees in the Francis Beidler Forest, including sections of original and old growth, to make way for a new transmission line.
Beidler is the world’s largest old-growth cypress-tupelo swamp forest, featuring thousand-year-old trees, a vibrant ecosystem, and flowing blackwater that attracts photographers and nature lovers from all over the world.
To proceed with their plan, Santee Cooper must obtain…
Monday, July 7, 2025
On July 8, you will have an opportunity to speak up in support of a balanced compromise for Highway 41.
In 2020, Charleston County proposed widening Highway 41 to five lanes through the historic Phillips community, but given concerns expressed by residents and advocacy from the Conservation League and our partners, it shelved that initial plan and designed a Compromise Alternative. This compromise balances the needs of all communities along…
Monday, July 7, 2025
On June 27, 2025, the Charleston Waterkeeper and Coastal Conservation League filed a notice of appeal in the South Carolina Court of Appeals in a case considering septic tank permits and the unique realities of the coast, where development pressures and climate impacts compound management challenges.
The appeal challenges a lower court’s ruling that the state Department of Environmental Services (DES) is not required to apply Coastal Management Program policies in…
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Join us Tuesday, July 8 at Mount Pleasant Town Council to speak up in support of a balanced compromise for Highway 41.
In 2020, Charleston County proposed widening Highway 41 to five lanes through the Phillips community but given concerns expressed by residents and advocacy from the Conservation League and our partners, it shelved that initial plan and designed a Compromise Alternative. This…
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Three-part blog series by Spring 2025 Energy & Climate Intern Ava Ambroggio
A key factor contributing to the disparity in success between Illinois’ Home Energy Savings (HES) program and Duke Energy’s Neighborhood Energy Saver (NES) and Dominion Energy’s Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP) appears to be significant differences in program funding.
In 2023, HES operated with a yearly budget of $32 million. In contrast, Dominion and Duke Energy allocated approximately…
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Three-part blog series by Spring 2025 Energy & Climate Intern Ava Ambroggio
Recognizing the disproportionate energy burden that low-income communities experience, utilities offer programs to address inefficient energy consumption.
Their programs often feature “direct install” measures, which are energy efficiency upgrades that the utility or its contractors install for free. The alternative is a loan or rebate program that requires cost sharing or upfront investment by participants.
The…
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Three-part blog series by Spring 2025 Energy & Climate Intern Ava Ambroggio
An energy burden is the portion of a household’s annual income spent on home energy costs.
Housing and energy experts recommend that households spend no more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs, with no more than 6 percent dedicated to energy expenses. For example, a household with a $75,000 annual income should spend no…
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
On Monday night, the Town of Ridgeland’s Planning Commission voted 3-2 in favor of the proposed “Special District” zoning for Tickton Hall. This upzoning would allow for 2,034 homes, 50 docks on Euhaw Creek, and 250,000 square feet of commercial space. Such a development could have major impacts to the environment and quality of life for Jasper and Beaufort County residents. Further, Highway 462 is already dealing with high traffic volumes, and…
