Rep. Ott proposes the following amendment (LC-5118.AHB0038H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

SECTION X. Chapter 37, Title 58 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 Section 58-37-65. (A)(1) The Office of Regulatory Staff must conduct an Energy Imbalance Study Committee to study and evaluate the potential costs and benefits of developing an Energy Imbalance Market in South Carolina.
  (2) For purposes of this section only, "energy imbalance market" means an organized wholesale market entity established for the purpose of coordinating and facilitating efficient dispatch of electricity among participating electrical utilities to balance intra-hour generation and load.
  (3) This study must also evaluate the potential of expansion of the Energy Imbalance Market beyond the South Carolina footprint.
  (4) This study must be conducted with public input from stakeholders through written comments and at least one public forum.
  (5) The Office of Regulatory Staff is authorized to retain the services of an expert or consultant with expertise and experience in wholesale electricity market models. The Office of Regulatory Staff is exempt from the procurement code for the purposes of retaining services for this study.
  (6) The provisions of this section are subject to funding. However, the Office of Regulatory Staff must complete this evaluation by January 1, 2025. Upon completion of this study, the Office of Regulatory Staff must provide its report to the General Assembly and the commission. This report may include a recommendation as to whether or not moving to an EIM model is beneficial to the State and how best to develop and administer an EIM in South Carolina if the findings of the study show this would be advantageous for the State including draft legislation and requirements that should be established.