Coal-fired plant not preference
Utility officials say nuclear facility would be best option
By Tony Bartelme
Top Santee Cooper officials said Wednesday they are reluctant to build a new coal-fired power plant near Florence but feel they have no choice given the region's future energy needs.
The comments marked a shift in the heated debate over the coal plant. In the past, Santee Cooper leaders have expressed few misgivings about the $1.25 billion project.
AP
An artist's rendering of Santee Cooper's proposed coal-fired power plant in Florence County.
But in a wide-ranging discussion with The Post and Courier editorial board and reporters, Lonnie Carter, Santee Cooper president and chief executive officer, said he wasn't "excited about building a coal plant, but I don't have a better option."
Instead, he and O.L. Thompson, Santee Cooper's board chairman, would have preferred to focus on nuclear power. "We don't want to build a coal plant," Thompson said. "We think nuclear is the answer."
Both said, however, that they're concerned about the many regulatory and political hurdles facing the utility no matter what they do.
Carter said he's even concerned that the agency's effort to focus on offshore wind power could be hamstrung by some environmental groups.
"We have to fight so many wars," Thompson said, adding that recent coverage of Santee Cooper-related issues in The Post and Courier "isn't helping."
Santee Cooper is seeking permits to build two 600 megawatt coal-fired generators on the Great Pee Dee River near Pamplico.
Previous story
Board will review permit, published 01/09/09
The state-owned utility had hoped to have one generator online by 2012, but Thompson said 2014 is the earliest it could begin producing electricity.
While the plant has strong support in some business sectors, it has generated opposition from conservation groups, Gov. Mark Sanford and the head of the state Department of Natural Resources.
Last month, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control board gave Santee Cooper a green light for an air pollution permit, though many DHEC board members said they had serious concerns about the project. Santee Cooper still needs a state water permit and approval from the Army Corps of Engineers before it can begin construction.
Carter and Thompson said Santee Cooper needs to find new ways to meet the region's energy needs within a few years, or the utility may run short of power.
They said the utility has spent millions of dollars on new biomass plants and expects to spend about $1 million on a study to determine the feasibility of offshore wind power.
Its biggest investment, however, is in a plan to build a new nuclear plant with SCANA at an existing nuclear facility north of Columbia. Carter said the utility has spent $100 million on that project so far and expects to spend another $300 million in the coming year.
But trying to restart the nuclear industry has its share of permitting pitfalls and risks, Carter said.
New plant designs make nuclear generators safer and more reliable, but nuclear plants still face vocal opposition. Thompson said the agency hopes to get the nuclear plant online by 2017, "but I'd be surprised if we make it by 2018. We are doing all we can. If someone can come up with a better solution, I would be tickled to death."
Blan Holman, a lawyer with the Southern Environmental Law Center, a group suing to block the Pee Dee coal plant, said even if the nuclear plant isn't built for 10 years, Santee Cooper could meet its energy needs with "a robust efficiency program, renewable power and natural gas. Coal is a bridge to nowhere except higher electricity bills."
Carter and Thompson said coal still has a future in South Carolina, adding that he thinks it makes more sense for the environment to build a new coal plant with the latest emissions controls. "Maybe we can park those 1960s (coal-fired) units," Thompson said. "The faster we can get the new unit built, the better it will be for the environment."
Reach Tony Bartelme at 937-5554 or tbartelme@postandcourier.com or Warren Wise at 937-5524 or wwise@postandcourier.com.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
zoomru (anonymous) says...
WHAT...........????
Lonnie..??
"Both said, however, that they're concerned about the many regulatory and political hurdles facing the utility no matter what they do..."
Well, bucko, you both should have been down at the TAX RALLY to speak and educate the VOTERS about what demonstrations they needed to do on behalf of NUCLEAR and WIND projects across OUR state ....!!!!!
Lonnie....did you LEARN anything from MARTIN LUTHER KING...!?!?!
Lonnie...are you a LEADER.??
Sounds like your schmoozing to END any press about you at all so the playerz can handshake in STEALTH mode!!!
Lonnie ...you are head of a STATE utility; so, you should DO what benefits THIS state and ....NOT.... West Virginia or Kentucky !!!!
We have Nuclear Workers and how many MILES of COASTLINE and highway easements for WIND TURBINES...????
MY BACKSIDE.....!!!!!
April 17, 2009 at 2:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyecantspel (anonymous) says...
lol @ "miles of coastline and easements" in the first post. Santee Cooper needs baseline power, not power when the wind blows or when the sun is out. People are so uneducated about the topics, they only know the talking points for heir side. Plus, the other half of zoomru side doesn't even want windmills, etc, because of their impact on bird and their flight patterns.
Is coal great? Not really. Is it cheap and easy to find in the US? Yes.
April 17, 2009 at 3:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
It won't be long before no one is willing to supply power. It's a fight for every inch to supply people with energy, and it's becoming a losing fight. People spend time and money making supplying power so expensive they won't be able to afford it, then they'll cry for the government to take someone elses money away and pay their power bill for them, whining about how greedy the power companies are the entire time.
April 17, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Commonman (anonymous) says...
So many excuses, so little time. Just do the right thing for once and move forward. Nuclear energy is safe and efficient. Go for it.
April 17, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Before I even clicked on "Show Comments, I knew who would be responsible for the first post.
And I wasn't disappointed, as he was there with another of his wild-assed lunatic rants.
April 17, 2009 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
So Geek........
your upset with this too......????
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/20...
Well, I have
1) ....not raised your taxes
2) ...not tried to hide where I stand
3) ...not tried to be misleading in information by providing links for ALL citizens to research and THINK ABOUT for themselves....
4) ....not tried to schmooze up to Democrats or Republicans and have been doing CHARLES ROWE'S very job by posing questions that hold everyone's feet to the FIRE.!! Unlike the very reporters and journalists; that his corporate brass have entrusted him to HIRE and deliver the highest quality information, that loyal readers DEMAND and expect from a newspaper that they graciously allow to tickle their BRAINS with disseminated information.....!!!!!!!
5) ....not tried to punk fellows posters that I can recall due to the fact that as a CYBER-Info Master such a Charles Rowe; we know that criticism is just as valuable of a badge of honor as praise is....!!! Do you think that CHarles and "POP" Tart want criticism ?? You bet they do !! They know that by the mere act of Lonnie Carter paying them a visit, CHATTING THEM UP, or calling them on the phone is an EXAMPLE of contrition. (or...UNCLE!) GEEKBOY, come on my friend, the MOST VALUABLE asset to ANY media outlet is the READERS OR VIEWERS....!!!! Advertisers come and GO...!!! Posters like us all here are PRICELESS to CHARLES and "POP" TART !!!!! Lonnie Carter is NO MORON !!! He knows this too....!!!
For the record....the FLAG at WEST-VACO was NOT flying when I came to WORK this morning. I wonder what it will be doing at LUNCH.....at Dinner.....or at 10 PM this evening...!!!!!
We bet that if utility workers view ANY flag flying as PENSION Royalty.............that ol' Lonnie should get out his GARMIN and enter the coordinates to give his backside some directions to pay a visit to some GE turbine ...WORKERS !!!!!
WE.....are....fed....UP !!
Geek ....we know you are too....you have a SOuth Carolina Driver License .....and when you flip your switch for lights... your paying for "Foreign Diesel" to RAIL out of STATE COAL to a power plant ...!!!! That may be all fine and DANDY; but I know you would much rather support GE workers in Greenville than AHAB in Dubai...!?!?!
April 17, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
Santee Cooper should take this opportunity to put South Carolina first at something. Build a hybrid nuclear fired coal refinery. Use the heat of nuclear fission to break down the coal into its usable products. All the unwanted hazardous materials could be contained.
I don't know though. Maybe its to easy.
April 17, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
Maybe they aren't wanting to build it in or near the Coast because the other coal plants have warmed and melted the ice caps and the region is flooding in less than a century?!!!
The future energy needs?
Are these @#$@#$ers serious?
have they read the news? Nano tech, in home/neighborhood/village fabrication per need, devices and houses that require only sunlight to light, heat and entertain the masses?
Nano tech and all this, does anyone think we will need giant turbines to power giant forges any more?
Technology and energy is becoming more subtle.
let's make paradise, not coal smudge war factories!!!!!!
April 17, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
Wow, 512 seems to be eating the same acid zoomru eats for breakfast. How about those things they use on star trek? They're really cool and don't cost a penny either, plus with every one you buy you get a Scotty lookalike to say "I don't know how much more she can handle!" Problem Solved!!!
April 17, 2009 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Posted by zoomru on April 17, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.
So Geek........
your upset with this too......????
*************************************************
Yeah, I am.... although probably not for the same reasons as you, my friend.
The environmental nutjobs don't want to use coal for power.
They don't want to use nuclear power.
They don't want to use offshore wind power.
They don't want to use biomass for power.
And did you see the report where Nancy Pelosi is against putting solar collectors in the MIDDLE OF A FREAKING DESERT because it will "ruin the aesthetic beauty of the desert"?
So what pray tell are we to use? The power generated by twiddling our thumbs?
April 17, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realist01 (anonymous) says...
Nuclear is the answer for the future...conservation should be the answer for now. If everyone would do the smallest things to conserve electricity there wouldn't be a problem.
Appliances, computers, light bulbs.......EVERYTHING is getting more efficient. Even with a nominal growth rate the should be enough electricity to meet demand due to increasing energy efficiency.
Okay. If you think this isn't true---that nuclear energy or conservation aren't the answer, why isn't anyone talking about natural gas. A natural gas plant can be built and online even faster than coal, with much less polution if this is truely meant to be a "patch."
April 17, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
GEEK-MAN.......
you read that TOO...??
I called out to BARSTOW California and the troops at DDBC are LIVID.....!!!
What a LAWYER fest...!!!
At 0800 they reverently and respectfully salute the FLAG and when that's through they turn and face the BRAND SPANKING NEW WIND TURBINE that has just been installed on the BASE and CLAP...!!!! It is hard to tell WHO is more ticked off....the guys who installed the turbine who are fighting to get them installed in the other cities in which they live or the troops on the BASE who hear that a DESERT is off limits to energy production because of WACKO LAWYERS and gutless politicians.......!!!! These troops are the ONES that will be called to ROTATE out to relieve troops on the front but realize that the progress that we ALL are paying taxes for and fighting for is being BLOCKED by the very OIL interests that are funding campaigns and Lobbyists and WACKOs ....!!!!
April 17, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scottmcx (anonymous) says...
Zoom/Geek
The problem is the Lawyers are the Politicians. That combination equals Job Security...for them.
April 17, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Posted by scottmcx on April 17, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Zoom/Geek
The problem is the Lawyers are the Politicians. That combination equals Job Security...for them.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ain't that the sad and sorry truth.
April 17, 2009 at 5:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
Meanwhile, The EPA has declared CO2 and 5 other "greenhouse gasses" to be pollutants. This action could pave the way to a ban on burning fossil fuels and bio-mass.
I get the feeling that while we fight among ourselves like wolves, we are being herded and corralled like sheep.
April 17, 2009 at 11:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Posted by rollo on April 17, 2009 at 11:33 p.m.
Meanwhile, The EPA has declared CO2 and 5 other "greenhouse gasses" to be pollutants. This action could pave the way to a ban on burning fossil fuels and bio-mass.
I get the feeling that while we fight among ourselves like wolves, we are being herded and corralled like sheep.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Careful, that kinda talk can result in Homeland Security deeming you an extremist domestic terrorist.
April 17, 2009 at 11:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
"Careful, that kinda talk can result in Homeland Security deeming you an extremist domestic terrorist."
I keep a copy of The US Constitution, and I believe in the principals set forth in the Declaration of Independence.
You might not want to be seen having a beer with me.
April 18, 2009 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Upper King on rise: Hotels, apartments, restaurants changing face of downtown area
- UPDATE: Missing woman's fiance seen leaving scene of burned SUV, carrying a shovel
- Missing woman case gets murkier
- Magnolia Gardens offering free dream wedding to contest winner
- Body of missing woman's fiance was found near handgun
- Pinterest: Pinning hopes and dreams
- DAVID SLADE: S.C. offers hybrid car tax credit
- Black women today: Strong. Resilient. Ambitious.
- Ex-Boeing worker claims racism, retaliation in firing
- MCDERMOTT COLUMN: Golf business has risks, rewards
