South Carolinians Fret Over Price Tag of Proposed Gas Plant at PSC Hearing

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Last night, dozens of South Carolinians testified before the state Public Service Commission at two back-to-back hearings, expressing concerns that the proposed Canadys gas power plant may drive up already skyrocketing energy costs for customers of Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC).

Kenni Cummings, a Tenant Organizer and Dominion ratepayer said, "In the summer things are brutal, in the winter things are hard. Folks run their AC and their heat to stay safe. That's a safety reality but the reality is they are choosing between paying their light bill and groceries or prescriptions every month."

Originally proposed in August 2024 as a $2.5 billion project, the Canadys gas power plant project has already ballooned to a new price tag of $5 billion, while actual construction could drive this cost even higher. Delays in the supply chain for plant components, macroeconomic factors like tariffs or inflation, or cost overruns with building new pipelines and transmission could all contribute to a much higher price. Once operational, the power plant would be fueled by fracked gas, often called "natural gas," which is seeing historic volatility on global markets. All of these expenses would likely be passed on to DESC and Santee Cooper ratepayers, though the PSC has the power to cap the total cost.

"We should not repeat mistakes by investing in costly infrastructure that may not serve our long-term needs. Our region is growing and we need reliable energy, but that does not mean defaulting to outdated solutions. We should be using existing infrastructure where possible, expanding solar paired with battery shortage, and investing in a more resilient modern grid," said Maya Rivera-Vazquez, a Dominion Energy ratepayer.

One reason for the proposed scale is because Santee Cooper expects many new data centers to be built. However, experts point out the risks of major investment based on speculative load from operators who have not made any commitments to build data centers in South Carolina.

"Santee Cooper and Dominion should not make lasting multi-billion dollar investments based on ifs and maybes from potential data center developers that have not even signed contracts," said Sierra Club's Senior Campaign Organizer for the Carolinas, Paul Black. "It is also very costly and risky for ratepayers-and harmful for public health-if Santee Cooper and Dominion keep three aging coal plants online in addition to building a new large gas plant. Any approval of the Canadys plant should be paired with a commitment by the utilities to retire the polluting Wateree, Williams, and Winyah coal plants.

In DESC's recently released 2026 Integrated Resource Plan , the utility stated broader plans to cling to expensive coal power in addition to doubling down on new gas like the Canadys proposal. The preferred portfolio in the IRP lists retirement years for two coal-fired power plants as 2032 and 2034, claiming it will need the Canadys gas plant to be constructed before retirement. However, DESC's plans fall short of actually committing to retire either coal plant. Santee Cooper is also refusing to commit to retire its old, costly Winyah coal plant, even if the Canadys gas plant is operational.