SC H5215

Creates the "South Carolina Ratepayer Protection and Large Load Customer Infrastructure Accountability Act" requiring electrical customers with projected peak demand of 50MW or more (including data centers over 5,000 sq ft) to enter 20-year minimum contracts with utilities and bear all incremental infrastructure costs rather than shifting them to other ratepayers.

Prohibits utilities from recovering costs incurred to serve large load customers from other customer classes and requires the Public Service Commission to approve all contracts, with financial security requirements and mandatory participation in demand response programs or payment of increased reliability costs.

Mandates large load customers submit annual reports to the Public Service Commission detailing peak MW, annual MWh, demand response events, on-site generator run time, and water usage for data centers, with reports posted publicly online.

Requires potential large load customers to hold public hearings with 30 days' notice before receiving local permits or incentives, including notification to property owners within one mile, and obtain local government certification of compatibility with comprehensive planning and zoning.

Establishes water resource planning requirements through the Department of Environmental Services, including monthly consumption estimates, mitigation plans, chemical usage disclosure, drought contingency plans, and annual water usage reporting with verification at least every three years.