Section 58-9-3020 - Actions authorized to be taken by electric cooperatives(A) Subject to the limitations set forth in this article, and in addition to all other purposes, powers, and authority currently granted to electric cooperatives under the laws of this State, an electric cooperative may do all of the following within areas in which it is authorized to provide electric service, and within such other areas as provided in subsection (B):(1) own, maintain, construct, install, and replace broadband facilities;(2) contract with a broadband service provider, including a broadband affiliate, to own, lease, manage, construct, superintend, install, operate, maintain, and replace a broadband network;(3) provide retail broadband service only through a broadband affiliate; and(4) contract with a broadband service provider that is not a broadband affiliate to provide retail broadband service to electric cooperative customers in compliance with the provisions of this article, provided; however, that nothing in this article is intended to nor shall it be construed as regulation of the rates, terms, and conditions of retail broadband service to end-user customers.(B) An electric cooperative may provide retail broadband service only within:(1) areas in which it is authorized to provide electric service and areas within two miles of its authorized electric service area;(2) census block groups for federal funding programs in which the electric cooperative has been designated as a recipient for federal funding provided that:(a) the funding is provided through a structured and defined program;(b) the program is open to broadband service providers including, but not limited to, electric cooperatives offering broadband pursuant to this article; and(c) the program is intended to support the deployment of broadband facilities or broadband service for unserved consumers;(3) census blocks for state funding programs in which the electric cooperative has been designated as a recipient for state funding provided that: (a) the funding is provided through a structured and defined program;(b) the program is open to broadband service providers including, but not limited to, electric cooperatives offering broadband pursuant to this article; and(c) the program is intended to support the deployment of broadband facilities or broadband service for unserved consumers.(C) In order to assist an electric cooperative in the planning, engineering, construction, extension, provision, operation, repair and maintenance of broadband facilities, an electric cooperative or its broadband affiliate is authorized to: (1) apply for, accept, repay, and utilize loans, grants, and other financing from any person; and(2) enter into contracts, agreements, partnerships, or other types of business relationships with any person.(D) This article does not require or obligate an electric cooperative to install or implement a broadband network or facilities or to provide broadband service provided; however, nothing in this subsection relieves an electric cooperative from complying with the provisions of Section 58-9-3030(A) and (B).(E) A broadband affiliate shall only serve the purposes of developing, providing, furnishing, or promoting broadband facilities and broadband services or a combination of such purposes.Added by 2020 S.C. Acts, Act No. 175 (HB 3780),s 1, eff. 9/29/2020. 2020 Act No. 175, Section 6, provides as follows:
"SECTION 6. This act does not convey or confer any implied or express grant of authority to an investor-owned electric utility to provide broadband facilities or broadband services as defined in this act and any legal rights which may or may not belong to investor-owned electric utilities to provide broadband facilities or broadband services at the time of the passage of this act are neither expanded nor contracted by its passage."