The subcommittee approved S.51 on a voice/hand vote after brief discussion about the scope and funding of the process. The resolution encourages Santee Cooper to issue a request for proposals (RFP) soliciting proposals from third parties interested in utilizing or repurposing assets associated with V.C. Summer Units 2 and 3.

Santee Cooper engineer and representative Jeff Penland told the subcommittee the utility opened a first‑phase expression‑of‑interest process in February and has received strong early interest. "The close of that process is May 5," Penland said, adding the utility had "over 80 interested parties inquire." He said Santee Cooper is funding the RFP phase and does not intend to take an investment stake in any restart: "Santee Cooper does not intend to participate it from an investment standpoint in any part of the restart of construction. We are funding this RFP piece, but nothing else."

Sponsor language and staff explained that any transaction involving a transfer of real property interest would require approval by the Joint Bond Review Committee (JBRC) pursuant to Section 58‑31‑240. Committee members asked whether the RFP funding would come from public dollars; Penland replied that the RFP phase is being paid for by Santee Cooper and that the utility "doesn't have a delineation of funds within our revenue, so that's being funded by our rate payers." He added the utility intends to seek reimbursement from any coalition that advances a restart once identified.

A subcommittee member moved to approve S.51, a second was heard, and the measure was approved by a show of hands. The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally or named votes.

The resolution dovetails with Santee Cooper's stated plan to evaluate proposals received May 5, identify promising parties and ideas, and encourage coalition formation to undertake due diligence and, if chosen, restart construction or repurpose existing assets. The committee did not adopt amendments and no further formal directions to staff were recorded.