Santee Cooper seeks joint operational authority with Dominion Energy for new gas plant

The Senate Judiciary Committee in South Carolina convened on February 18, 2025, to discuss several bills, with a primary focus on S.12, which seeks to grant Santee Cooper the authority to jointly own and operate electric generation and transmission facilities with investor-owned utilities. This bill is significant as it would streamline the process for Santee Cooper to collaborate with private entities, a move that has been previously authorized for nuclear generation facilities.

Senator Breeden introduced S.12, explaining that the bill does not pertain to any specific projects but allows for future partnerships, particularly with Dominion Energy. An amendment was proposed to tailor the bill specifically to Dominion, allowing Santee Cooper to jointly own natural gas facilities at the site of Dominion's former Kennedy coal plant. The committee unanimously approved this amendment.

During the meeting, representatives from Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper provided insights into the progress made at the Kennedy site, emphasizing environmental stewardship and the removal of coal ash. They highlighted the importance of this site for future energy independence in South Carolina, particularly in light of increasing energy demands driven by residential and commercial growth.

Dominion's Keller Kasam detailed the extensive preparations made at the Kennedy site, including the establishment of a conservation bank and the planting of native species. He also discussed the need for natural gas infrastructure to support a proposed 2,000-megawatt gas plant, which is seen as essential for meeting the state's growing energy needs.

Santee Cooper's representative echoed these sentiments, noting that the utility is facing a significant increase in peak load requirements due to growth in the region. The transition to natural gas is viewed as a critical step in addressing both capacity needs and environmental regulations.

The committee's discussions underscored the urgency of permitting reform to facilitate these energy projects, as regulatory delays could hinder investment and development. The approval of S.12 is seen as a pivotal move towards enhancing South Carolina's energy infrastructure and ensuring a reliable power supply for the future.