Duke Energy has proposed building a natural gas power plant in Anderson County, a proposal that has drawn economic promises and environmental concerns.
A 1,400-megawatt natural gas power plant is being planned for Highway 81 South near True Temper Road. The South Carolina Public Service Commission will host a public hearing on Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Anderson Civic Center. At the hearing, residents will be able to express their concerns about the plans.
“There are definitely concerns over the air pollution that will come from the plant and then the health impacts that go along with that,” said Jalen Brooks-Knepfle, manager for Conservation Voters South Carolina, a group that advocates for air, land, water, and energy through political action. “When plants like that come in, you can expect it can lead to more industrialization in the area following that.”
Duke Energy said the 200-acre plant is necessary to keep up with South Carolina’s economic development and population growth, particularly in the Upstate. The Upstate, especially Greenville and Spartanburg counties, has outpaced state and national growth trends.
In 2024, the Upstate’s population grew by 1.9 percent, according to the Upstate South Carolina Alliance, a public-private economic development organization. Spartanburg County grew by 2.9 percent in 2024. Greenville County’s population grew by 2 percent.
Anderson County has grown from 204,192 people in 2020 to an estimated 217,183 people in 2024.
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Environmental risk
The average Duke Energy natural gas plant in South Carolina produces between 560 and 750 megawatts instantaneously, according to Duke Energy. The planned plant would be the largest Duke gas plant in the state.
Brooks-Knepfle said a plant the size of this one will generate enough energy to power other large facilities that may be considering locating in the area.
“Large industry plants are part of the entities that use facilities like this. It’s not a telltale sign, but it’s one of those things where a plant like this is coming, then more than likely a big, large industry like that is soon to come,” Brooks-Knepfle said.
Site near State Highway 81 South and True Temper Road where a Duke Energy proposed $2.5 billion natural gas plant site would be in Starr.
Projects like this can create poor conditions by emitting greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, and releasing harmful pollutants, according to the Southern Environmental Law Center.
Before the facility is built, engineers will conduct detailed environmental studies to assess air quality, water use, noise, traffic and other factors, according to Duke.
The facility will require a water source of 600,000 gallons per day for cooling and process makeup, and will discharge approximately 400,000 gallons of waste per day to the local municipal waste treatment facility.
Changes to a community
District Five Anderson County Councilman Tommy Dunn represents the area where the plant is set to be built.
He said the facility won’t change the community and could improve it by bringing jobs to a rural area in Anderson County.
“I don’t think the plant is going to affect much of anything,” Dunn said. “Anderson County and South Carolina are looking for ways to have good, sustainable energy. It’ll help keep our homes and businesses running”.
Dunn wants to ensure nothing happens on the council’s end until the Feb. 3 meeting.
“If you don’t know something, there’s an opportunity to learn about Duke’s project. Without knowledge about the project, we have people saying crazy stuff. I’ve been hearing stuff around the community and I just want to let folks know this has nothing to do with a data center,” Dunn said.
On Duke explains on its website that the facility will provide natural gas turbines and other associated equipment, manufactured in Greenville, to meet the growing needs of data centers, advanced manufacturing and population growth.
The facility is projected to generate an average of $16.7 million in annual taxes over the first 10 years, with more than 70% going to local school districts, according to Duke. The project is expected to support over 2,200 jobs annually and generate $1.3 billion in statewide GDP.
“This could increase their tax base in the area and make it one of the larger tax bases in the county. This project can be a really good thing,” Dunn said.
Site near State Highway 81 South and True Temper Road where a Duke Energy proposed $2.5 billion natural gas plant site would be in Starr.
What’s next
Duke’s planners will have an evidentiary hearing on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. in the Service Commission’s hearing room, located at 101 Executive Center Drive in Columbia. An evidentiary hearing is a formal proceeding designed to gather material and evidence to support decisions on permits or site plans.
Duke said that if the project moves forward, its representatives will seek regulatory approvals and apply for local, state, and federal permits.
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2027 and serve customers by early 2031.
As of Jan. 29, 25 people had applied to speak at the hearing.
This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Public hearing set for Duke Energy gas plant proposed in Anderson
