Environment

S. 556 creates a 25% tax credit for businesses investing in equipment to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) from landfill gas. The credit covers costs for purchasing, installing, and preparing equipment for commercial use (like processing and transporting RNG), with a maximum annual limit of $5 million or 25% of qualifying costs, whichever is lower. Businesses must get certification from the State Energy Office for equipment placed in service after 2025, and unused credits can be carried forward for up to 15 years. The tax credit applies to income tax or license fees for tax years 2026 through 2031.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 6-10-30, RELATING TO THE ADOPTION OF THE 2009 EDITION OF THE ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE, SO AS TO LIMIT ITS APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCTION FALLING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 6-10-40, RELATING TO APPEAL BY LOCAL JURISDICTION FOR VARIANCE TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA BUILDING CODES COUNCIL, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT STATEWIDE MODIFICATIONS NOT FALLING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE MAY BE MADE IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER BUILDING CODES.