Santee Cooper’s New Energy Plan is Bad News for South Carolina Customers - CleanTechnica

Santee Cooper’s updated energy plan prioritizes costly new gas plants and delayed coal retirements over affordable solar and wind energy to serve growing data center demand. This strategic pivot contradicts industry analysis confirming renewables as the most cost-competitive generation option. By postponing solar investments until 2052, the utility ignores immediately deployable resources, thereby increasing long-term financial burdens for consumers. This decision aligns with broader political trends attempting to relax public health safeguards for coal plants. However, retaining aging coal infrastructure poses significant operational and reliability risks. Experts warn that indefinite reliance on these units creates economic instability and environmental hazards, challenging the notion that these legacy sources ensure grid security. For open data advocates, this case highlights the critical need for transparent, accessible utility planning documents. Without open data, stakeholders cannot independently verify cost projections or assess the validity of delaying clean energy transitions. Ensuring public access to detailed energy filings allows communities to scrutinize corporate decisions that directly impact their economic well-being and environmental health.

Source: cleantechnica.com
Published on 2026-10-03

Santee Cooper’s New Energy Plan is Bad News for South Carolina Customers - CleanTechnica

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