The Energy Office, a department of the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, has published an annual report summarizing statewide progress in meeting energy use reduction goals.

State law required state agencies, public school districts, and public colleges and universities (public entities) to develop energy conservation plans and work to reduce their energy consumption 20 percent by 2020, as compared to 2000 levels. The Energy Office was tasked with collecting each public entity’s annual report and tracking their progress toward the 20 percent energy usage reduction goal.

The 2021 Annual Report on the Implementation of State Government Energy Conservation (PDF) summarizes data submitted for the performance period of Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 which includes July 2020 – June 2021.

In total, data submitted for FY 2021 shows that public entities reduced their energy use per square foot by 24 percent and energy spending per square foot by 21 percent. Collectively, public entities achieved the 20 percent goal mandated by the General Assembly.

Since the initial performance period of FY 2001, 111 of the 145 public entities (77 percent) achieved the 20 percent energy intensity reduction goal in at least one fiscal year.

• For FY 2021, 74 public entities are recognized for achieving the 20 percent energy intensity reduction goal
• 37 entities have been recognized previously for achieving the 20 percent energy intensity reduction goal in one or more years during FY 2001 – FY 2020 performance periods but did not meet the threshold for FY 2021 or did not submit complete data for the period.

The State Government Energy Conservation initiative has successfully concluded with the state having collectively reached the energy usage reduction goal.  The Energy Office continues to collect energy data and progress reports from the public entities to monitor and measure ongoing conservation efforts.

The Energy Office also continues to provide ongoing training, workshops, and technical assistance, and makes low-interest loans available for energy efficiency projects to assist public entities that have not met the 20 percent reduction goal.

To view the 2021 report and past years’ reports, visit the Reports and Publications page of the Energy Office website.