Panel: SC carbon dioxide cuts need no mandate

Next Politics & Policy Article COLUMBIA, S.C. - A new report says South Carolina can release less carbon dioxide than it did in 1990 by promoting voluntary efforts driven mostly by incentives and laws already on the books. The report released Wednesday calls for the state to produce more energy with nuclear and alternative sources and find ways to save energy through conservation. However, state Rep. Ben Hagood of Mount Pleasant said Thursday that Gov. Mark Sanford's Climate, Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee never seriously considered mandates on industry or consumers to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Voluntary reductions driven by the marketplace and existing regulations have "much more practical results than an approach that by pulling a number out and saying 'thou shalt,'" said Hagood, the chairman of the committee.... [read full story]