Pursuing clean energy sources is the best way forward for SC and South Carolinians

Like many of you I want South Carolina’s beaches to be preserved for future generations.

And like many of you I believe that it’s in our hands to make the right choices to protect our coast — and two of the best choices we can make are to stop offshore drilling and advance clean energy.

The beauty of South Carolina’s coastline can never be replaced and if nothing else, the COVID -19 pandemic has given us a greater appreciation for our tourism economy, our beaches and for the rest of our beautiful sites.

Protecting the beauty of our coast and our tourism economy is exactly why we must oppose offshore drilling.

And it’s also why we must promote clean energy.

Clean energy can not only protect our coast and our natural resources — it can also help stabilize our economy by creating jobs.

Yes, gas prices are low right now. That’s no surprise since supply is high and demand is low; our country is living through an historic global pandemic and folks aren’t driving cars. But these low prices won’t last and when oil and gas production dries up, it’s only a matter of time until that shortage creates a price spike with negative ripple effects across the rest of the economy.

Steady, clean energy growth that protects the whole of South Carolina’s economy is a much better economic bet.

And it is a much healthier bet for our communities.

In an recent op-ed that appeared in The State, a pro-drilling advocate labeled those of us who oppose drilling and support clean energy growth as “anti-energy advocates.” This could not be farther from the truth: there is no greater advocate for energy development in South Carolina than the clean energy industry.

Despite pushback from oil and gas companies we’ve made actual progress with energy growth. The clean energy industry is putting money where its mouth is; it has been driving investments in solar developments, battery storage technology, energy efficiency and electric vehicle infrastructure.

These investments are yielding tangible economic growth and employing thousands of South Carolinians. In addition clean energy is showing a proven ability to build the framework for sustainable policies that advance and improve the health of people of color.

It is clear that clean energy is the safer option from a health and safety standpoint.

Just ask our friends in Louisiana and Mississippi how their beaches and communities fared during the BP oil spill in 2010.

Just remember the gas leaks and explosions that have disrupted service across our state.

And, even worse, just think about those who have been injured or even killed — like the 16-year old South Carolina boy who tragically died last year when a gas leak caused his parents’ restaurant to explode.

These stories are all too common, yet the oil and gas companies keep trying to convince us to not pursue clean energy.

The fact is that solar technology does not carry the same dangerous consequences that come with oil and gas growth — and implementing energy efficiency and conservation measures don’t carry the risk of creating toxic material that affects our beaches, wetlands, wildlife and coastal habitats.

Those of us who oppose drilling and support clean energy growth only want what’s best for South Carolina.

And what’s best for South Carolina is an affordable energy source for all — like solar — that isn’t subject to the price spikes of the oil and gas markets.

What’s best for South Carolina is clean energy development that results in sound economic investment and creates good jobs.

And what’s best for South Carolina are clean energy sources that don’t injure our citizens or harm our coastal landscapes.

That’s why we must continue to pursue and embrace our goal to have 100 percent clean and safe energy in South Carolina.

State Rep. Wendy Brawley represents House District 70, which includes Richland and Sumter counties.