COLUMBIA, S.C. — Duke Energy is asking for the public's input on a plan that includes $90 million of infrastructure to meet a growing need for energy.
The integrated resources plan, entitled "Carolinas Resource Plan," will include extending the lives of Duke Energy’s nuclear plants and expanding operations at hydro storage facility in Oconee County. It's the latest in a push to meet the demands of a growing population and business activity, says spokesperson for Duke Energy, Ryan Mosier.
"Business is booming in South Carolina. That’s a good thing," says Mosier. "But with that comes challenges and so utility companies like Duke Energy have to make sure that the power is there when 24/7 manufacturers need it, when schools need it, when hospitals need it."
Lawmakers, utilities push for more energy
Lawmakers behind an energy reform bill aimed at allowing major utilities to expand and generate more energy failed to get it to the Governor's desk.The bill would have restructured the permitting process for major energy projects and allowed for a joint-funded Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper natural gas plant.
But after the burn of the failed VC Summer Nuclear Station, it's important to consider major energy moves carefully, says Conservation Voters of SC's John Brooker.
"We need to be diligent and we can’t rush to any solutions," said Brooker. "A lot of people struggle to pay their energy bills in South Carolina. We have a really high energy burden so people pay a high proportion of their income to electricity and other utility bills... and so making sure that we are making the best choice in terms of cost and the best choice in terms of the environment."
Energy expansion projects impact rural communities
Another project from Duke Energy that came under the spotlight at the Public Service Commission's hearing was a transmission line connecting to a new power substation in rural Green Pond.
The Big Ferguson Transmission line project will run through a swath of land that is mostly rural, says resident and President of the Green Pond Rural Alliance Rodney Neal.
"Almost everyone in the community will look out and they’re used to seeing in the morning a nice beautiful sunrise, and they’ll have these big ugly poles sticking right up in the front of their view."
Neal says that the project being in a rural area, away from the more urbanized areas and manufacturing plants that need the energy doesn't make sense.
"They came out in a rural area that’s not where the growth is occurring, they selected an area because land is cheap but yet it’s not near the points of use," said Neal.