Subcommittee backs joint authorization for Kennedy gas project; Santee Cooper outlines VC Summer RFP and timetable

The Judiciary Subcommittee voted to advance a joint authorization tied to a proposed shared natural-gas generation project at the Kennedys site and received an update from Santee Cooper and other utility officials on related market and permitting work.

The vote, taken by voice, approved consideration of S 51 and S 12; the committee chair called the question and members responded “aye.” No recorded opposition was entered on the transcript; the chair declared the motion approved.

Committee members and utility representatives told the panel they view the Kennedys brownfield site as a strategic location to replace retiring coal plants and to provide fuel capacity that could support economic development across South Carolina. Keller (role not specified in the transcript) said Kennedys has been cleaned of coal ash, “it has a substation, it has transmission,” and that the site is well positioned to serve growth along the coast and up from Charleston into Dorchester County.

Why it matters: Subcommittee members heard that the Kennedys project is being marketed as an “anchor load” to secure cheaper pipeline capacity and that precedent agreements have been signed with regional utilities. Officials said the joint build authorization strengthens the state’s ability to attract the…