Columbia, South Carolina is actively encouraging green energy use through several impactful initiatives and projects aimed at increasing clean energy adoption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A major step is the Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc., based in Columbia, securing nearly $500 million in federal grants and zero-interest loans under the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. This funding supports clean energy projects including nuclear power, solar energy, and battery storage. These projects are expected to deliver nearly 700 megawatts of carbon-free energy to over 900,000 cooperative accounts statewide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2.2 million tons annually—equivalent to removing 480,000 gasoline-powered cars from the roads. This effort aligns with the federal Inflation Reduction Act and represents the largest investment in rural energy infrastructure since the 1935 Rural Electrification Act.
In addition, the City of Columbia has adopted the “Ready for 100” initiative, committing to generate 75 megawatts of renewable energy by 2036. The city council encourages energy conservation as a foundational step, promoting actions such as the use of LED lighting, better home insulation, and efficient appliances. Such conservation efforts complement renewable energy generation, as the cleanest energy is that which is never consumed.
Columbia’s energy plans emphasize a gradual transition to cleaner energy sources, including significant solar and battery storage expansion, supported by detailed city and utility-level roadmaps. These initiatives also focus on maintaining grid reliability and affordability while meeting growing energy demand in sustainable ways. Together, these efforts position Columbia as a leader in embracing green energy and fostering sustainable growth.
SOURCES
[1](https://columbiabusinessreport.com/columbia-cooperative-awarded-500m-for-clean-energy-projects/)
[2](https://www.dominionenergy.com/-/media/content/about/our-company/irp/pdfs/desc-integrated-resource-plan-2025.pdf)
[3](https://unfccc.int/news/more-than-250-us-mayors-aim-at-100-renewable-energy-by-2035)
[4](https://cpac.columbiasc.gov/energy-conservation/)
[5](https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/columbia-readying-100-cent-renewable-energy)
