MCCONNELL CALLS FOR COMMITTEE TO STUDY ENERGY

With the energy crisis at its political and socioeconomic nadir, there have been a lot of great ideas floating around the forum of public debate lately.

It’s difficult to say which proposal is the best, and in 10 or 20 years I’m sure we’ll be doing a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking, but everyone agrees we must act now. Even the state legislature, lead by Sen. Glenn McConnell, who has requested that a joint legislative body provide members of both the General Assembly and the state’s Congressional delegation with a comprehensive overview of South Carolina’s energy resources.

“I believe responsibility lies with our General Assembly to conduct research, hold hearings, and act when it comes to policy that will put our state among a list of winners – both as to energy supply and environmental stewardship,” McConnell said in a press release Monday. “While the onset of $4 per gallon gasoline and double–digit increases in wholesale power costs caused by skyrocketing coal prices have moved ‘energy’ to front and center in the public’s mind, the challenge for our state is truly a long-term one.

“Most likely, it will be one of the single greatest factors affecting our state’s economy and quality of life for the foreseeable future.”

Sen. Thomas Alexander added that, “A reliable source of cost-efficient energy is the number one factor in maintaining quality of life and increased economic development for the state.”

I honestly don’t care what the result of this panel (or whatever they want to call it) is, I’m just glad to see someone take action rather than sit around and grandstand about the need for action.

Since you asked though, I’m personally rooting for a plan to develop a way to suck the unending supply of hubris from Sen. Robert Ford’s head and turn it into sustainable energy. Also acceptable: Jars of fireflies, or better yet, jars of Firefly vodka.