Coal-fired Power Plant in Florence

Today the Small Business Chamber of Commerce asked Governor Sanford to review the state-owned utility's plan to build a coal-fired power plant in Florence County.

South Carolina Chamber Response: The following response may be attributed to Otis B. Rawl Jr., President and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

It is incredulous that the Small Business Chamber, an entity that claims to represent small businesses, would oppose a project that will provide affordable and reliable electricity for South Carolina. Over the past three years, the Small Business Chamber has often opposed initiatives supported by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, like tort reform and workers’ compensation reform that are already proving to improve the state’s business climate.

I understand the need to be environmentally sensitive when making this decision. However, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has had nearly 900 days to review the permit. There’s been ample study and review. Now is the time to issue the permit and move forward.

Affordable and reliable energy are each key to the survival of South Carolina’s businesses. When a small business owner walks into his business every morning, the lights must come on, and the rates must remain affordable. The Pee Dee Energy Campus will be the cleanest and most efficient coal-burning facility in the state of South Carolina and one of the cleanest in the entire nation. As our state grows rapidly, we must be proactive in ensuring that we have adequate capacity.

Would you support a coal-fired power plant in Darlington County? Do you support the one being planned for Florence County?