South Carolina

Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | South Carolina

SC Landowners Take Canadys Gas Plant Fight to State Supreme Court
September 15, 2026September 15, 2026

We told you back in July that the two landowners fighting the 2,180-megawatt (MW) Canadys Station gas-fired power plant in South Carolina’s Lowcountry were teeing up an appeal straight to the state Supreme Court (see SC PSC Won’t Reconsider Its Approval of Edisto River Gas-Fired Plant). On September 1, they did exactly that. John M. Burbage and Lauren V. Moody Stanfill filed a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of South Carolina, asking the justices to undo the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) approval of the roughly $5 billion project — a 50/50 joint venture between Dominion Energy South Carolina and state-owned Santee Cooper. Read More “SC Landowners Take Canadys Gas Plant Fight to State Supreme Court”
AI | Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Regulation | South Carolina

Behind-the-Meter Wins: SC OKs 457 MW Gas Plant for Data Center
August 28, 2026August 28, 2026

South Carolina’s utility regulators voted unanimously yesterday to let a $2.8 billion artificial intelligence data center in Spartanburg County build and run its own 457-megawatt natural gas power plant without asking the state’s permission first. The decision is a big win for the “behind-the-meter” model — where a data center brings its own generation instead of leaning on the grid — and it’s a model that is going to burn a lot of molecules. Possibly some of ours. Read More “Behind-the-Meter Wins: SC OKs 457 MW Gas Plant for Data Center”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Dominion Energy | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | M&A | NextEra Energy | North Carolina | South Carolina | Virginia

Dominion/NextEra File to Merge; Greens Try but Fail to Stop Clock
July 29, 2026July 29, 2026

Back in May we brought you the news that NextEra Energy is buying and merging with Dominion Energy in a deal valued around $66.8 billion (see NextEra Energy Buying, Merging with Dominion Energy for $66 Billion), followed by our rundown of the Marcellus/Utica projects that may be affected (see M-U Projects Potentially Impacted by NextEra/Dominion Merger). On July 15, the two companies stopped talking and started filing. They submitted applications to five separate regulators: the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC), the North Carolina Utilities Commission, the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The Virginia filing is the big one — it started a statutory clock that runs out January 11, 2027. And the anti-fossil fuel crowd in Richmond immediately tried to jam that clock. Read More “Dominion/NextEra File to Merge; Greens Try but Fail to Stop Clock”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | South Carolina

Potential 2 GW Gas-Fired Project Planned for SC Savannah River Site
July 21, 2026July 21, 2026

Amentum, a Chantilly, Virginia-based engineering and technology firm, has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to enter negotiations for a phased lease to develop one of the nation’s largest integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and energy infrastructure projects at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina. Once finalized, the public-private project would establish a 1-gigawatt AI data center supported by approximately 2 gigawatts of on-site energy generation, initially powered by natural gas, with an eventual transition to advanced nuclear energy. The project aims to expand domestic AI computing capacity and strengthen U.S. energy resilience and national security. Read More “Potential 2 GW Gas-Fired Project Planned for SC Savannah River Site”
Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | Litigation | Pipelines | South Carolina

SC Landowners Attempt Class Action to Oppose Elba Express Pipe
July 20, 2026July 20, 2026

A new wrinkle to report in the case of a South Carolina pipeline, the Elba Express Pipeline, and its quest to build an extension to a gas-fired power plant in Colleton County. In June, we told you that Kinder Morgan, the builder, had been forced to sue some 55 (of the 185) landowners along the proposed route to allow simple access to their property for a survey (see Kinder Morgan Forced to Sue SC Landowners for Pipe Survey Access). Now comes word that the reluctant landowners are suing back and asking the court to grant class action status to their lawsuit. Read More “SC Landowners Attempt Class Action to Oppose Elba Express Pipe”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | South Carolina

SC PSC Won’t Reconsider Its Approval of Edisto River Gas-Fired Plant
July 17, 2026July 17, 2026

In June, members of the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a revised project proposal to build a 1,020-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant in the state’s Lowcountry, in Colleton County (see SC PSC Approves Revised Gas-Fired Plant Proposed for Edisto River). The project, originally estimated to cost $2.5 billion, is a 50/50 partnership between Dominion Energy (formerly South Carolina Electric & Gas) and Santee Cooper (South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility). The plant location is at the retired coal-fired plant, Canadys Station. However, both the scope and the cost doubled last fall (see Dominion’s SC Canadys Gas-Fired Power Plant Doubles in Price). The PSC approved the doubled size/cost of the project in June. Their approval set off a firestorm of legal actions. Read More “SC PSC Won’t Reconsider Its Approval of Edisto River Gas-Fired Plant”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | South Carolina

Kershaw County, SC Approves 500 MW Gas-Fired Power Plant Project
July 16, 2026July 16, 2026

Here’s a new gas-fired power plant project not previously on our radar. Beaufort Rosemary, a Virginia-based company, wants to build a 500-megawatt (MW) dual-fuel natural gas and propane power plant on 50 to 80 acres of land in Bethune, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. Officials say the project would bring more than $900 million in economic impact, hundreds of construction jobs, and 15 to 20 permanent jobs once fully operational. After hours of public debate, Kershaw County Council voted 4-3 Tuesday night to approve a 40-year tax incentive deal. Read More “Kershaw County, SC Approves 500 MW Gas-Fired Power Plant Project”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | Litigation | Pipelines | South Carolina

Kinder Morgan Forced to Sue SC Landowners for Pipe Survey Access
June 29, 2026June 29, 2026

It never ends well for landowners who believe they can block pipeline surveyors from accessing their land. In April 2025, MDN told you about a new greenfield expansion of Kinder Morgan’s Elba Express pipeline into South Carolina to serve growing demand for natural gas in the state (see KM Pipes Update: Expand Elba to SC; SSE4 Survey Work Done. The $431 million Elba Express Bridge project is designed to provide 325 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of firm transportation capacity to a new gas-fired power plant in Colleton County, SC (see SC PSC Approves Gas-Fired Power Plant Proposed for Edisto River). Read More “Kinder Morgan Forced to Sue SC Landowners for Pipe Survey Access”
Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Regulation | South Carolina

SC PSC Approves Revised Gas-Fired Plant Proposed for Edisto River
June 17, 2026June 17, 2026

In February 2024, members of the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a proposed project to build a 1,020-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant in the state’s Lowcountry, in Colleton County (see SC PSC Approves Gas-Fired Power Plant Proposed for Edisto River). The project, estimated to cost $2.5 billion, is a 50/50 partnership between Dominion Energy (formerly South Carolina Electric & Gas) and Santee Cooper (South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility). The plant location is at the retired coal-fired plant, Canadys Station. However, both the scope and the cost doubled last fall (see Dominion’s SC Canadys Gas-Fired Power Plant Doubles in Price). The PSC approved the doubled size/cost of the project last Friday. Read More “SC PSC Approves Revised Gas-Fired Plant Proposed for Edisto River”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | Litigation | Pipelines | South Carolina

KM Forced to Take SC Landowners to Court to Allow Pipe Surveys
May 29, 2026May 29, 2026

In April 2025, MDN told you about a new greenfield expansion of Kinder Morgan’s (KM) Elba Express pipeline into South Carolina to serve growing demand for natural gas in the state (see KM Pipes Update: Expand Elba to SC; SSE4 Survey Work Done). The $431 million Elba Express Bridge project is designed to provide 325 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of firm transportation capacity to a new gas-fired power plant in Colleton County, SC (see SC PSC Approves Gas-Fired Power Plant Proposed for Edisto River). KM sent letters to 185 landowners in South Carolina along the proposed route, requesting permission to survey their land for the project (see SC Landowners Receive Notice of Survey Work for Elba Express Pipe). Some 60 of those landowners have refused permission, forcing KM to take them to court. Read More “KM Forced to Take SC Landowners to Court to Allow Pipe Surveys”
Dominion Energy | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | LDCs | M&A | NextEra Energy | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Virginia

M-U Projects Potentially Impacted by NextEra/Dominion Merger
May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

Yesterday, MDN brought you the big news that NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy will combine in an all-stock transaction, creating the world’s largest regulated electric utility business serving approximately 10 million customer accounts across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina (see NextEra Energy Buying, Merging with Dominion Energy for $66 Billion). Now that the news itself has settled in, analysts are beginning to explore what it means for this constituency and that constituency. Whenever there’s a takeover with new management, existing (or planned) projects can change. We wondered, what’s the list of projects owned by Dominion and NextEra in the Marcellus/Utica region that may change when the two companies join? Read More “M-U Projects Potentially Impacted by NextEra/Dominion Merger”
Duke Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Regulation | South Carolina

SC PSC Approves Duke/Santee Cooper 2.2 GW Gas-Fired Power Plant
May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

Good news! The Public Service Commission (PSC) of South Carolina approved a joint application by Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper to build Canadys Station, a natural gas combined-cycle facility in Colleton County. The plant will generate approximately 2,200 megawatts (2.2 GW) — enough to power over one million homes — addressing the state’s growing energy demand. It will be built on the site of a former Dominion Energy coal plant, roughly 40 miles northwest of Charleston (the “Lowcountry” region), eliminating the need for new land clearing. Read More “SC PSC Approves Duke/Santee Cooper 2.2 GW Gas-Fired Power Plant”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | South Carolina

Big Green Continues Smear Campaign Against Dominion SC Power Plant
May 14, 2026May 15, 2026

In February 2024, members of the South Carolina Public Service Commission approved a proposed project to build a 2,200-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant in the state’s Lowcountry, in Colleton County (see SC PSC Approves Gas-Fired Power Plant Proposed for Edisto River). The Canadys project is a 50/50 partnership between Dominion Energy (formerly South Carolina Electric & Gas) and Santee Cooper (South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility). As they have from the beginning, the two companies continue to defend the project against attacks by anti-fossil fuel groups. Big Green continues its PR and lawfare campaign against the project. Read More “Big Green Continues Smear Campaign Against Dominion SC Power Plant”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | South Carolina

Big Green Mobilizes Against SC Lowcountry Gas-Fired Plant & Pipe
April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

In February 2024, members of the South Carolina Public Service Commission approved a proposed project to build a 1,020-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant in the state’s Lowcountry, in Colleton County (see SC PSC Approves Gas-Fired Power Plant Proposed for Edisto River). The Canadys project is a 50/50 partnership between Dominion Energy (formerly South Carolina Electric & Gas) and Santee Cooper (South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility). As they have from the beginning, the two companies continue to defend the project against attacks by anti-fossil fuel groups. Big Green, in the form of the Sierra Club and Savannah Riverkeeper, has joined the fight to try to block this necessary project. Read More “Big Green Mobilizes Against SC Lowcountry Gas-Fired Plant & Pipe”
Duke Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Regulation | South Carolina | Taxation

Anderson County Settles Tax Break for Duke Energy Gas-Fired Plant
April 13, 2026April 13, 2026

In March, South Carolina regulators approved Duke Energy’s proposal to build a 1.4-gigawatt (GW) natural gas-fired power plant in Anderson County, marking the utility’s first new generation project in the state in a decade (see SC PSC Approves Duke Energy 1.4-GW Gas-Fired Plant in Anderson Co.). Scheduled for construction in 2027 and operational by 2031, the facility aims to address surging energy demands driven by population growth and economic expansion, though critics (falsely) attribute the need primarily to AI-driven data centers. Anderson County Council voted in December to give the Duke project a tax break to ensure it is built in their county rather than elsewhere (see Anderson County, SC Offers Duke Energy Tax Break for Gas-Fired Plant). The Council voted to offer a “fee-in-lieu of taxes” agreement (FILOT, sometimes called a PILOT, or payment-in-lieu of taxes), although specifics were not determined at the time. Read More “Anderson County Settles Tax Break for Duke Energy Gas-Fired Plant”
Duke Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Regulation | South Carolina

SC PSC Approves Duke Energy 1.4-GW Gas-Fired Plant in Anderson Co.
March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

South Carolina regulators have approved Duke Energy’s proposal to build a 1.4-gigawatt (GW) natural gas-fired power plant in Anderson County, marking the utility’s first new generation project in the state in a decade. Scheduled for construction in 2027 and operational by 2031, the facility aims to address surging energy demands driven by population growth and economic expansion, though critics (falsely) attribute the need primarily to AI-driven data centers. Supported by Governor Henry McMaster under the S.C. Energy Security Act, the project is expected to generate an annual $84 million economic impact while ensuring long-term power reliability for the region. Read More “SC PSC Approves Duke Energy 1.4-GW Gas-Fired Plant in Anderson Co.”