SC Attorney General Continues Fight Against Government Overreach And For Affordable Electricity

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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined two letters to the Environmental Protection Agency to fight against what he says is government overreach and to keep coal-fired power plants from being shut down, which he maintains would drive up energy costs.

In the first letter, 23 state attorneys general write to support the EPA’s proposal to get rid of most of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), which was put in place by the Obama administration in 2009.

The attorneys general argue that the mandates of the rule exceed the EPA’s authority to require the reporting, and even if it had the authority, the costs of the rule far exceed its purported benefits.

Joining Wilson in the letter about the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program were the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

You can read that letter here.

In the second letter, 25 state attorneys general support a proposed extension of the deadline for coal-fired power plants to comply with a Biden-era water pollution rule. It also asks the EPA to rescind the rule outright.

South Carolina and 21 other states sued to stop the water pollution rule. That lawsuit is pending.

Joining Wilson in the letter on the Biden-era water pollution rules were the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.

You can read that letter here.

Said Wilson: “The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program has not been proven necessary to support any authorized purpose, and the Biden-era water pollution rules were apparently meant to push coal plants into retirement.”

Headwater Energy, a leading utility-scale solar and energy storage development firm, announced it has closed construction financing on a 112.5MWdc solar project in North Carolina arranged by Charleston, South Carolina-based BridgePeak Energy Capital, LLC and funded in part by Pathward, N.A.

The Gum Swamp solar project is projected to generate clean energy to power the equivalent of 17,000 North Carolina households annually, marking a significant expansion of solar energy capacity in the state.

Officials said the financing will allow Headwater to accelerate its growth in the Southeast, which already includes 177MWdc of operational assets and a 2.8GWdc development pipeline.

“BridgePeak is excited to support Headwater’s pipeline of energy projects that will generate low-cost electrons to power AI now and in the immediate future. Gum Swamp will be placed in service in just 18 months, illustrating the value of an ‘all of the above’ energy policy,” said David Thigpen, president of BridgePeak.

The loan was originated under Pathward’s energy lending program and a lender syndicate, with BridgePeak serving as lender service provider.

The transaction is part of BridgePeak’s broader initiative to facilitate over $2 billion in energy project financing in 2025.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, BridgePeak services a $3.7 billion commercial loan portfolio.

Since founding in 2020, BridgePeak has closed more than $5.4 billion in loans to U.S.-based energy projects in more than 24 states.

Pathward, N.A., a national bank, is a subsidiary of Pathward Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASH).

Plans for the next phase of Navy Yard Charleston are coming into focus as DRB Homes announced it will construct 55 townhomes on the property as part of a new, ground-up development dubbed “Marine Row at the Navy Yard.”

Located along St. John Avenue between the Navy Hospital and Storehouse Row, the development will be designed to complement the property’s many historic buildings and feature townhomes ranging in size from 1,600 to 2,000 square feet.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2026, with the first home build commencing in the second quarter of 2027.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome DRB Homes to the neighborhood,” said Ned Miller, head of Development at Navy Yard Charleston. “The company not only understands the needs of buyers in the market, but also shares our passion for creating vibrant, well-designed communities. Their team’s ability to deliver unique, high-quality residential products makes them an ideal partner to help us advance the next chapter of Navy Yard Charleston.”

Drawn to Navy Yard Charleston’s design-forward atmosphere, DRB Homes officially joined the mixed-use community in June, setting up a temporary office in Storehouse Seven while its new 10,000-square-foot space was under construction in Storehouse Eight.

This state-of-the-art location opened in early November and serves as both a traditional office as well as a showroom for DRB Homes’ Design Studio, an integral part of the company’s homebuilding experience that allows future homeowners to personalize their homes.

“While there has long been buzz around the Navy Yard Charleston redevelopment, our desire to be involved in it grew with intensity once we engaged with the larger team,” said Bennett Rogers, division director of Land Development, DRB Homes.

Rogers added, “The long-term vision for the property combined with our love for this market is what attracted us to the site, and we look forward to playing a role in such a pivotal project for the region.”

Officials said Navy Yard Charleston’s partnership with DRB Homes exemplifies the ownership team’s commitment to establishing the mixed-use neighborhood as a creative ecosystem featuring shops, restaurants, showrooms, maker spaces, offices, residences, entertainment and cultural venues, and social gathering spots.

DRB Homes is one of several businesses that have recently chosen to call Navy Yard Charleston home, including Artis Construction (coming soon), Dwell Somatic Studio (open), Second State Coffee (coming soon), Studio Spa by Madeline (open), and Textures (open).

Kravet, a leader in home furnishings opened its new 2,240-square-foot showroom inside Storehouse Eight in October.

Schumacher and its sister concept Patterson Flynn are slated to open a 3,760-square-foot showroom in the same building later this year.

The Greenville Chamber Board of Directors approved its 2026 board slate and appointed Mike Sarvis as chair-elect.

Michelle Seaver, United Community president of Greenville, Spartanburg and Cherokee counties, will serve as Board chair in 2026.

Sarvis will take over the highest volunteer leadership role for the Greenville Chamber in 2027.

Sarvis is the Upstate market executive at Carter Bank & Trust.

Before joining Carter Bank & Trust in August 2025, he served as market president for First National Bank.

A 36-year banking veteran, Sarvis began his career in Greenville and has held leadership roles across the Southeast.

He is a graduate of Clemson University, The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Georgetown University, Leadership Greenville Class 26, and Leadership South Carolina ’25.

Sarvis first joined the Greenville Chamber board in 2021 and has held numerous leadership positions during that time, including serving as co-chair of the Accelerate program.

Said Sarvis: “It is a sincere honor to be named chair-elect of the Greenville Chamber Board of Directors. The Chamber’s longstanding commitment to fostering business growth and creating opportunities for all has made it a cornerstone of our community for the last 136 years.”

He added, “I am inspired by the legacy of leadership here at the Chamber and grateful for the trust placed in me. I’m also grateful to Carter Bank & Trust for their investment in the Chamber’s mission and for supporting my involvement and service in this capacity.”

Said Seaver: “It’s an honor to serve as chair of the Greenville Chamber, and I’m thrilled to welcome Mike Sarvis as our chair-elect.”

She added, “Mike brings decades of banking experience and a deep commitment to community leadership. His extensive service to the Greenville Chamber, including his role as Accelerate co-chair, and his past leadership as Board Chair of the Chattanooga Chamber, reflect his passion for economic development and regional collaboration. I look forward to working alongside Mike as we continue to grow a greater Greenville.”

New members who will join the board in 2026:• Brantley Anderson, Colliers International• Dr. Phyllis MacGilvray, USC School of Medicine Greenville• Beth Paul, Bon Secours Wellness Arena• Liz Seman, Furman University• Meg Terry, DP3 Architects Ltd.• Carlo White, White Holdings, LLC.

Traci Newkirk, president and founder of Human Potential Advisors, will serve as Immediate past chair of the Chamber Board and will chair the Greenville Chamber Foundation in 2026.

Said Newkirk: “It has been a true privilege to serve as chair of the Greenville Chamber Board this past year. Together, we’ve worked to strengthen a community where businesses grow, and people flourish.”

She added, “Working alongside Carlos Phillips and an engaged board has reminded me that real leadership begins with listening, learning, and leading from a place of authenticity. As new board members join us in 2026, I’m inspired by the energy and perspective they’ll bring to Greenville’s next season of success.”

Five individuals have completed their board service terms and will transition from the board: Jessica Donan, EY; Meliah Bowers Jefferson, Jolley Foundation; David Feild, Colliers International; David Lominack, TD Bank; and Ramon Nieves-Lugo, UniComm Media Group.

The Board of Directors is the governance body of the Greenville Chamber.

New board members will begin in January 2026.