Jul 27 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Adva Saldinger The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.


A group of Santee Cooper rate payers and members of environmental advocacy groups gathered this morning before a Santee Cooper meeting to express their opposition to a planned coal-powered plant.

Nancy Cave, the Northcoast director of the Coastal Conservation League, called on Santee Cooper to invest in energy efficiency programs and alternative energy and asked them not to build the plant.

"I think if we did that we would see there was no need for a coal plant," said Peggy Brown of Florence County. "The main concern here is that we've got to get past coal," she said.

The public meeting was held so that people could voice their opinions about the proposed 15 percent rate increase to Santee Cooper board members.

"I think there is a misconception that this rate increase is related to the Pee Dee facility and that is not true," said Laura Varn, a spokeswoman for Santee Cooper.

The costs of producing power have increased and the rate increase will only pay for "minimal costs associated with the facility," she said.

The company has not increased the base rate in 13 years and the cost of business has increased since then, Varn said.

"The timing is bad and we'll readily admit that, " she said.

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