CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — As the race for Senate District 33 heats up, incumbent Luke Rankin, who has represented the district since the early 1990s, is focusing on energy and infrastructure as key issues if reelected.
“A study committee has been formed, which I serve, that is addressing and drilling down all things energy in South Carolina in terms of what needs we have, what existing resources we have, and what are the drivers of demand for energy in our state,” Rankin said adding that energy has been a major topic of discussion both locally and in Columbia during the off-session.
Rankin’s political career in the Senate spans more than 30 years. He emphasized the importance of generating power across the state to handle its growing population. He pointed to the proposed partnership between Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy to convert an old coal plant into a natural gas facility in the Lowcountry as a significant step forward.
“We have a growing population here, we’ve got growing businesses here,” Rankin said, citing the example of data centers like DC Blox. “Santee Cooper to grow its portfolio needs another plant. So that would serve us both directly here if you’re a homeowner and/or a business that is served directly by Santee Cooper.”
Rankin also addressed concerns about the cost of living in Horry County, noting that energy plays a large role in keeping costs sustainable and affordable.
“If we don’t create this authorization to build this plant, we will be buying it from other folks from across the Southeast, it is not going to be less expensive I’ll assure you,” he said.
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On infrastructure, Rankin acknowledged complaints about a lack of development in Horry County which became a focal point in his Primary race against former Conway City Councilman, Autry Benton.
“If you’re waiting for whether President Trump is reelected.. or if he’s not, or if our US Senators continue to serve, if we are waiting on the federal government to generate money for South Carolina let alone Horry County, that is a futile wait,” Rankin said. “If you’re waiting on the state of South Carolina to fund these $5 billion worth of projects over the next 5 years that is a futile wait.”
He urged voters to support the RIDE 4 initiative, which he believes is crucial for securing state and federal funds for projects like I-73.
“We just finished the five-year phase-in of a gas tax that only brings us on par with our Southeastern neighbors. The federal government is not going to do this, the State is not going to do this,” Rankin said.“That [I-73] is the only project by the way that has an environmental impact statement, that has a Corps of Engineers blessing and so we can only build in Horry. We’ve got to find money for Marion. Still that would require state funds. So the carrot in the stick approach in the State putting money in, they were looking for Horry County Council to commit. That commitment went away, this commitment which voters get to decide next week puts skin in the game to say to the State and Federal government, ‘we’re in’.”
With recent retirements, Rankin now sits within the Top three in seniority within the Senate. He has served as the Judiciary Committee Chairman for years. Like the Senate Finance Committee, the Judiciary is considered one of the most influential committees in the General Assembly. Rankin hopes his influence can keep Horry County at the forefront of discussions as lawmakers manage growth across South Carolina.
“So the challenge for me is to serve people in the Micah 6:8 vein – Justly, Humbly, with in step with the Good Lord. I’m not perfect and I don’t vote always the way everyone wants. Fortunately, this is not where Caesar gets to give the thumbs up or thumbs down on each particular vote, but they do hear me they do see me,” Rankin said.