Matt Moore of the Palmetto Conservative Solar Coalition, Sen. Tom Davis and Rep. James Smith in front of the rally crowd.
I dropped by the pro-solar rally at the State House awhile ago, and I had to ask: “When @JamesSmithSC AND @NathanBallentin AND @senatortomdavis are all for liberating solar power in SC, who can be against? (Aside from the big utilities, that is…)”
And there’s the rub. The big utilities, and their dozens of lobbyists and those who do their bidding. Who are those who do their bidding? We’ll be able to see that clearly, since right now there are two competing bills — H. 4421, which would lift the cap that the big utilities placed on net metering, and H. 5541, the bill that aims to essentially kill solar power in South Carolina.
There is seldom a choice that’s as black-and-white as this one.
Joining Smith, Ballentine and Davis — representing the three main “parties” in the Legislature (Democratic, Republican, and those other Republicans) — were Reps. Mandy Powers Norrell and Gary Clary, and Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant. My own representative, Micah Caskey, showed up as the rally ended, apologizing for being late.
The crowd standing on the steps behind the pols were mainly folks employed in the solar installation industry. Which makes sense, since their phony-baloney jobs are on the line, gentlemen!
This was one of those reverse rallies where the demonstrators were all up on the steps behind the speakers, and the audience consisted of media and a few lobbyists.
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So this is a test of James Smith’s ability to reach across the aisle and get things done. If he loses this one, how does that help his candidacy? If he can’t take on Republicans in the State House, we’re looking at a four year lame duck if he beats a weak candidate like Henry CcMaster.
He’s in an interesting fix on this one. It’s his bill; he’s the prime sponsor. So being seen as leading on this is good for his candidacy.
But at the same time, he and his allies have to avoid pushing too HARD the fact that he’s the prime sponsor, because they need a majority of Republicans to vote for it.
It’s a balancing act that takes considerable political skill….
And I think he’s maintaining that balance pretty well. But it’s a David vs. Goliath situation. The folks who brought us the Base Load Review Act are arrayed against him, Matt, Nathan, Tom, Micah and the rest…