When it comes to conservation, resilience, and renewable energy, it’s not just about protecting the environment—it’s about strengthening the economy. South Carolinians are increasingly recognizing that these investments are not just good for nature, but also for business, job creation, and lower energy costs. Such initiatives, therefore, benefit South Carolina’s economy, families, communities, and future generations.
Sustain SC and The Nature Conservancy recently conducted a state-wide poll of a sample of 1,200 Republican voters (“2025 SC GOP Primary Survey”), which uncovered significant support among the respondents for protecting South Carolina’s natural resources and providing funding for conservation and resilience initiatives. The 2025 SC GOP Primary Survey’s answers were collected via text-to-web interviews between January 28 and February 2, 2025.
Economic Benefits of Conservation
Conservation is a key economic driver. While 83.2% of respondents agree that South Carolinians must work together for land and water conservation, which will pave the way for a future that both protects the environment and cultivates economic growth. Specifically, a strong 81.4% of South Carolinians back land conservation initiatives and the preservation of natural and historical resources. Meanwhile, 81.9% of respondents think water use management needs to strike a balance between its economic and recreational purposes, recognizing that the resource directly supports businesses and agriculture as well as activities like boating and fishing. A well-managed natural environment means stronger local businesses, higher property values, and more recreational and tourism opportunities that drive revenue into the state.
The results were even more pronounced when zooming in on particular regions. In Pee Dee, for example, 88% of respondents supported both land and water conservation as well as land conservation on its own, while 85.4% supported the balance in water management needs.
Leslie Skardon, CEO of Sustain SC, said, “For the second time in three years, Sustain SC has tested conservation and resilience issues statewide and found strong and enduring support to protect our state’s natural resources and improve resilience. This data reinforces the importance of our mission—working at the intersection of environmental conservation and economic development to benefit our state’s economy and natural resources.”
Additionally, 72.9% of respondents support using state dollars to obtain federal and private-sector funding for conservation and resilience projects. These efforts don’t just protect the environment—they shield businesses and homeowners from costly damages caused by flooding and natural disasters. A whopping 90% of respondents were in favor of state legislative funding to provide aid to those impacted by natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. Additionally, 59.3% of respondents think that the state government should be primarily accountable for enforcing regulations that defend sensitive areas like wetlands.
“Polls consistently show that South Carolinians recognize the value of caring for our lands and waters, and they want local government and organizations to take an active role in stewarding them,” says Dale Threatt-Taylor, Executive Director for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina and Board Chair of Sustain SC, noted.
More Energy Choices, More Savings
The survey also found that 72.9% of respondents support an expansion in the state of diverse sources of renewable energy generation like nuclear, hydrogen, biomass, solar, and wind. This broad support isn’t surprising—clean energy projects bring investment into local economies and provide a buffer against rising energy costs.
Results indicate that 72.9% of respondents think it is important to invest in renewable energy, while 52.1% believe in investing in both traditional and renewable energy sources. The latter percentage is notably higher than last year’s poll results. This difference shows increasing recognition that a balanced approach would ensure South Carolina remains competitive, with access to affordable and reliable power. As the state continues to grow, diversifying its energy mix can prevent price spikes and keep utility bills stable for consumers.
The Bottom Line
Clean energy and conservation aren’t just environmental talking points—they’re economic necessities. South Carolina voters, particularly conservative ones, understand that sustainability is about making smart financial decisions that create jobs, attract investment, and keep energy costs manageable for everyone.
As businesses and policymakers push forward on energy and conservation initiatives, one thing is clear: investing in conservation and clean energy is a win-win for South Carolina’s economy and its people.
This article was created on February 27, 2025 with the assistance of the generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool Claude 3.7 Sonnet, using the linked company websites, press releases, reports, or external media coverage as inputted source material. It was then reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by one or more team members to ensure factual accuracy and consistency with editorial standards before publication.
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