Otis Singleton
The Santee Cooper Electricity Act, also known as the South Carolina Energy Security Act, is a law in South Carolina that aims to ensure the state's continued prosperity and protect its customers by providing a diverse range of energy sources. The act allows Santee Cooper, South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility company, to partner with Dominion Energy to construct a new power plant. This $48.2 million project, funded by federal loans and grants, first generated electricity on February 17, 1942, and has since powered South Carolina, directly serving over 165,000 residential and commercial customers.
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What You'll Learn
Santee Cooper's partnership with Dominion Energy
Santee Cooper, officially known as the South Carolina Public Service Authority, is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility. It is one of the largest power providers in the state, serving over 165,000 residential and commercial customers in Berkeley, Georgetown, and Horry counties. Santee Cooper has a diverse energy portfolio, including coal, nuclear, oil, natural gas, hydroelectric, and renewable sources.
Santee Cooper has a partnership with Dominion Energy South Carolina, with whom they own and operate the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station. Santee Cooper owns one-third of the plant, while Dominion Energy owns the remaining two-thirds. In addition, Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy have collaborated on the following projects:
The Johns Island-Queensboro 115kV Transmission project:
Since 2017, Santee Cooper has partnered with Dominion Energy to construct this transmission line on Johns Island, South Carolina. The 5.1-mile-long line will be the island's second transmission line and has received approvals from relevant agencies, including the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The Edisto River Gas-Fired Power Plant:
The South Carolina Public Service Commission approved Santee Cooper's long-term plan to build a new gas-fired power plant on the Edisto River, jointly financed and owned by Dominion Energy South Carolina. This decision faced criticism from environmental groups and concerns about pollution, financial risks, and a lack of transparency about necessary pipeline projects.
The Summer Nuclear Project:
Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy were involved in a lawsuit related to the Summer Nuclear Project, which was canceled in July 2017. The lawsuit resulted in a $520 million settlement, with Santee Cooper accused of raising rates despite the project's declining viability.
The partnership between Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy has been a significant aspect of Santee Cooper's operations and South Carolina's energy landscape. These projects have faced a mix of support and criticism, with ongoing debates about their potential impact on energy rates and the environment.
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Santee Cooper's customer base and costs
Santee Cooper, also known as the South Carolina Public Service Authority, is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility. It is one of the largest power providers in the state, serving more than 165,000 residential and commercial customers in Berkeley, Georgetown, and Horry counties. Santee Cooper also supplies power to the cities of Bamberg and Georgetown, 30 large industrial customers, and Charleston Air Force Base.
The Santee Cooper Power and Navigation Project, constructed in 1939, improved navigation and provided hydroelectric power from the Santee and Cooper rivers. The project involved the creation of Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, and it was intended to enhance the health, recreation, and economy of the area. It was the largest land-clearing project in US history, with over 12,500 workers clearing over 177,000 acres of land. The project included the construction of 42 miles of dams and dikes, with the Pinopolis Dam featuring the world's highest single-lift lock.
Santee Cooper has a diverse fuel and energy supply, including coal, nuclear, oil, natural gas, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources. They have invested in renewable energy generation, with 28 MW of landfill gas generation, 74 MW of wood biomass generation, and 800 MW of renewable energy generation online or under contract. Santee Cooper also owns one-third of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, operated by Dominion Energy South Carolina.
In terms of costs, Santee Cooper's 2025 budget includes $1.5 billion in non-fuel operations, maintenance, and capital spending. The total budget is $3.2 billion, with $2.2 billion allocated for the electric system, $11.1 million for water systems, and $950 million for capital expenditures. The approved rates for 2025 will result in an average $11 increase in the monthly bill for residential customers. Santee Cooper has also partnered with Dominion Energy to construct a new power plant, which is expected to reduce costs for customers. However, there are concerns about potential rate hikes and the impact on customers' electricity bills due to the Energy Security Act and other factors.
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Santee Cooper's role in South Carolina's energy security
Santee Cooper, officially known as the South Carolina Public Service Authority, is a state-owned electric and water utility company. It was established in 1934 to bring electricity to rural South Carolina and has since become one of the largest power providers in the state, serving over 2 million people. Santee Cooper's role in South Carolina's energy security has been significant, and it continues to play a crucial part in ensuring reliable and affordable energy for the state's residents and economy.
The Santee Cooper Power and Navigation Project, constructed in 1939, was a massive undertaking that improved navigation and provided hydroelectric power from the Santee and Cooper rivers. This project involved the creation of Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie and was intended to enhance the health, recreation, and economy of the area. It was the largest land-clearing project in US history, with over 12,500 workers clearing 177,000 acres of land. Santee Cooper first generated electricity on February 17, 1942, at the Jefferies Hydroelectric Station, supporting the Allied war effort during World War II.
Today, Santee Cooper continues to play a vital role in South Carolina's energy security. With a diverse fuel and energy supply, including coal, nuclear, oil, natural gas, hydroelectric, and renewable sources, Santee Cooper supplies power to cities, large industrial customers, and even the Charleston Air Force Base. The company is committed to modernizing its energy portfolio by adding significant solar power and natural gas generation while reducing coal generation and investing in battery storage. Santee Cooper also encourages energy efficiency among its customers, offering discounts and rebates on energy-efficient products and providing tips to reduce energy consumption during peak hours.
The South Carolina Energy Security Act, a new energy law, has sparked debates about potential rate hikes for customers. However, Santee Cooper officials argue that partnering with Dominion Energy to construct a new power plant will ultimately lower costs for customers. The Act also mandates a review of cost-effective measures by utility providers and encourages the revival of nuclear energy options. Santee Cooper's role in South Carolina's energy security is further highlighted by its ability to quickly restore power during outages and its contributions to economic development, attracting billions in capital investment and creating thousands of jobs. Santee Cooper also provides clean drinking water to over 200,000 people and actively engages in conservation and sustainability initiatives, such as wetlands preservation and forest management.
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Santee Cooper's environmental impact
Santee Cooper, officially known as the South Carolina Public Service Authority, is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility. It was established in the 1930s as a rural electrification and public works project. The Santee Cooper Power and Navigation Project, constructed in 1939, improved navigation and provided hydroelectric power from the Santee and Cooper rivers. This project involved the creation of Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie and was intended to enhance the region's health, recreation, and economy.
The Santee Cooper project had a significant environmental impact. It resulted in the clearing of vast tracts of land, with over 177,000 acres of swamp and forestland cleared, making it the largest land-clearing project in US history at the time. Additionally, the construction of 42 miles of dams and dikes, including the 26-mile-long, 78-foot-tall earthen Pinopolis Dam, altered the ecology of the region. The river systems were disrupted, with the formerly saline Cooper River becoming fresh and the Santee River turning saline, affecting the local ecological communities.
Today, Santee Cooper continues to play a crucial role in meeting South Carolina's electricity needs. It serves over 165,000 residential and commercial customers in multiple counties and provides power to cities, industrial customers, and the Charleston Air Force Base. Santee Cooper has a diverse energy portfolio, including coal, nuclear, oil, natural gas, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources.
Santee Cooper has recognized the importance of environmental stewardship and is taking steps towards sustainability. Their Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) aims to balance system reliability, environmental responsibility, cost impacts, and risks. Santee Cooper intends to reduce its carbon footprint by phasing out coal units, incorporating more natural gas and renewable energy sources, and increasing solar power capacity. By 2040, they plan to add over 2,500 megawatts of solar power and 350 megawatts of innovative battery storage technology, reducing carbon emissions by over 50% from 2005 levels. Santee Cooper also offers customers energy-saving programs and incentives to promote energy efficiency and reduce peak energy demand.
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Santee Cooper's history and establishment
Santee Cooper, officially known as the South Carolina Public Service Authority, is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility company. It was established in the 1930s as a rural electrification and public works project, with the aim of bringing electricity to rural South Carolina.
The Santee Cooper Project, as it was known, was the largest land-clearing project in US history at the time. Over 12,500 workers cleared 177,000 acres of swamp and forest land, constructing 42 miles of dams and dikes, including the 26-mile, 78-foot-tall earthen Pinopolis Dam. The project also created two lakes, Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, and improved navigation and provided hydroelectric power from the Santee and Cooper rivers. The project first generated electricity on February 17, 1942, at the Jefferies Hydroelectric Station (formerly known as the Pinopolis Power Plant), and today Santee Cooper is one of the largest power providers in South Carolina, serving over 2 million people and directly serving more than 165,000 residential and commercial customers.
Santee Cooper is the only large electric utility headquartered in South Carolina and is governed by a board of directors appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate. In recent years, Santee Cooper has faced some challenges, including the Nukegate scandal, which led to debates about privatisation and reform. Despite this, Santee Cooper continues to provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, with a focus on improving the quality of life for all South Carolinians.
In addition to its power generation and distribution, Santee Cooper also operates the Santee Cooper Regional Water System and the Lake Marion Regional Water System, providing clean drinking water to over 200,000 people. Santee Cooper also contributes to education, donating over $330,000 annually to schools, and supports economic development, attracting billions in capital investment and creating thousands of jobs in the state.
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Frequently asked questions
Santee Cooper, officially known as the South Carolina Public Service Authority, is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility company. It was established in 1939 to electrify rural South Carolina and increase navigational opportunities.
The Santee Cooper Power and Navigation Project improved navigation and provided hydroelectric power from the Santee and Cooper rivers in South Carolina. The project also created Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, improving the health, recreation, and economy of the area.
The Santee Cooper Joint Project Authorization is a bill passed by the South Carolina Legislature in 2025-2026. It allows the Public Service Authority to jointly own and operate natural gas-fired generation facilities with Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.
