Senate Leader: Let SC gov sell state-owned utility

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The leader of the South Carolina Senate says the governor should be able to negotiate the sale of a state-owned utility.

Senate President Harvey Peeler of Gaffney introduced a proposal Wednesday to give Gov. Henry McMaster the authority to sell Santee Cooper.

Last month, Peeler created a committee of nine senators to review what to do with Santee Cooper, emphasizing the only goal was to protect taxpayers.

On the Senate floor Wednesday, Peeler said he now thinks Santee Cooper’s leadership is in crisis. McMaster has pushed to sell the utility for nearly two years since its role in a pair of failed nuclear plants.

Santee Cooper is $8 billion in debt.

Several senators have been skeptical about the possible sale.