Poor residents central to energy talks | Bluffton Today

Sarita Chourey

"A central question Friday, however, was whether moving to more stringent efficiency standards in housing would help or hurt the poor. South Carolina currently follows standards of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, recognized in federal law, green building standards and most states.

Low-income households spend 14-16 percent of their income on utility bills, according to the Alliance report, which also says the Palmetto State produces only 38 percent of its energy and imports the rest."