Bioenergy Carbon Neutrality Definitions - H3967
Summary
South Carolina Governor signed H3967 into law, adding Section 48-23-185 to the South Carolina Code of Laws. The legislation defines 'biomass' and related terms, and establishes that energy produced from certain sources must be considered carbon neutral while energy from other specified sources must be considered carbon negative. The bill, which passed unanimously in both chambers, is focused on bioenergy and forest products.
What changed
H3967 enacts a new section of South Carolina law that establishes statutory definitions for biomass and related terminology in the context of bioenergy production. The bill mandates that energy generated from certain designated sources be treated as carbon neutral for regulatory and reporting purposes, while energy from other specified sources must be considered carbon negative. These designations carry legal weight and will affect how energy producers document and report their carbon footprint.
For bioenergy producers and forest products companies operating in South Carolina, this legislation creates compliance obligations around the use of the newly defined terminology. Entities generating energy from biomass will need to ensure their reporting aligns with whether their source materials qualify as carbon neutral or carbon negative under the statutory definitions. This may affect environmental permits, renewable energy credits, and regulatory filings that reference carbon neutrality.
What to do next
- Review Section 48-23-185 to understand the legal definitions of biomass and related carbon terminology
- Assess whether current bioenergy operations qualify under the new carbon neutrality or carbon negativity classifications
- Update environmental compliance documentation to reflect the mandatory carbon neutral/negative designations for applicable energy sources
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / South Carolina / H3967 Signed by Governor H3967 H Signed by Governor 2026-04-07
Bioenergy; Forest Products
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 48-23-185 So As To Define "biomass" And Other Relevant Terms; To Require That Energy Produced From Certain Sources Be Considered Carbon Neutral And From Other Sources Carbon Negative; And For Other Purposes. - Ratified Title
Bill Details
State South Carolina
Session 126th General Assembly
Chamber House
Official Source www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnu...
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Sponsors
Patrick Haddon (Rep - R) Randy Ligon (Rep - R) Gary Brewer (Rep - R) Bruce Bannister (Rep - R) Cally Forrest (Rep - R) William Herbkersman (Rep - R) William Hixon (Rep - R) Adam Duncan (Rep - R) Blake Sanders (Rep - R)
Action History
2026-04-07 Signed By Governor 2026-04-01 Ratified R 125 2026-03-26 S Read third time and enrolled 2026-03-25 S Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0 2026-03-25 S Read second time 2026-03-19 S Committee report: Favorable Medical Affairs 2025-05-01 S Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs 2025-05-01 S Introduced and read first time 2025-05-01 H Read third time and sent to Senate 2025-04-30 H Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-0 2025-04-30 H Read second time 2025-04-30 Scrivener's error corrected 2025-04-29 H Committee report: Favorable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs 2025-02-19 H Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Duncan, Sanders 2025-02-12 H Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs 2025-02-12 H Introduced and read first time
Votes
2025-04-30 House: Passage Of Bill Yea: 111 Nay: 0 2026-03-25 Senate: 2nd Reading Yea: 43 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2025-02-12 H Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs 2025-05-01 S Medical Affairs
Bill Text Versions
2025-02-12 Introduced 2025-04-29 Comm Sub 2025-04-30 Comm Sub 2026-03-19 Comm Sub Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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