COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – State regulators will hear from the public Monday on a proposal to build a new natural gas power plant at the site of a former Colleton County coal facility.
Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper are seeking approval to construct and operate the Canadys Station, an advanced combined-cycle generating plant planned for the old Dominion coal plant property.
The companies filed a joint application with the South Carolina Public Service Commission, which is actively gathering public testimony as part of its review.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the project, pointing to a Harvard Data Science Initiative report commissioned by the Southern Environmental Law Center. The analysis predicts the plant would emit significant levels of fine particulate matter, an air pollutant linked to increased risks of heart attacks, pneumonia, and cardiovascular disease.
According to the report, emissions would affect the entire Lowcountry, with Colleton County facing the greatest impact.
Santee Cooper pushed back on the findings, saying in a past statement that “the study referenced by protesters is flawed. It is based on the performance of older models, broad assumptions, overestimations, and modeling that isn’t even approved by the EPA. The public and transparent permitting process for this station will require full, science-based environmental assessment and input.”
Dominion Energy previously said the project is needed to meet growing demand. “Canadys Station is critical in meeting increased customer demand for electricity and supporting economic prosperity in South Carolina, which is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. With proven technology and state-of-the-art environmental protections, this reliable, highly efficient natural gas-fueled facility will help secure South Carolina’s energy future,” the utility said in a Jan. 13 statement.
The Public Service Commission will hold an in-person hearing at 6 p.m. at the Walterboro Wildlife Center (100 South Jefferies Boulevard). Anyone wanting to testify must attend in person, and organizers ask participants to use the building’s back entrance.
Those who pre-registered will be called first, followed by attendees who sign up on site.
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