The NukeGate saga is an expensive reminder of mishaps in South Carolina’s energy sector. This debacle originated in 2017 when two nuclear reactors intended for the V.C. Summer facility in Jenkinsville were abruptly abandoned, leaving many taxpayers and ratepayers in the lurch.
Originally, these reactors were designed to generate 2,300 megawatts of energy. Instead, they resulted in a staggering $10 billion in losses, without producing a single watt. For South Carolinians, this has meant increased energy rates and ongoing debt.
The collapse of this ambitious project has had lasting repercussions, particularly since the state was in dire need of new energy supplies to meet rising demands from homes and businesses.
Finding Solutions
A collaboration between the state-owned Santee Cooper and SCANA was envisioned to address the long-term energy needs. However, the project’s failure now looms large over several lawmakers involved in its approval, many of whom are part of a Senate panel aimed at addressing the fallout.
On October 16, 2024, the panel convened in Columbia to discuss the urgent need for additional power generation and improving the permitting process for new energy projects.
Senate majority leader Shane Massey expressed ambition for legislative progress, saying, “I want to give the staff direction so we can start working on legislation.” He hopes some energy legislation can be introduced by January.
The panel members showed surprising unity, especially regarding a new natural gas facility proposed for Canadys, South Carolina. Senate minority leader Brad Hutto stressed the importance of new energy sources and the need for faster permitting processes to avoid excess costs for ratepayers.
“The appeals process is too lengthy,” Hutto remarked. “We should push these to the courts quickly since they will go to the supreme court anyway.”
New Directions
This year, a significant effort was made by eco-activists to halt non-renewable energy sources, leading to calls for reforming the permitting process. Yet, despite these pressures, Speaker Murrell Smith has been persistent in advocating for new energy infrastructure.
Smith’s previous attempt to streamline the permitting process did not pass, but he remains focused on speeding up the decision-making of the S.C. Public Service Commission regarding future projects.
Senator Tom Davis has also voiced support for reviving the V.C. Summer project, emphasizing that it merits further exploration due to its incomplete status. “Maybe it’s a hangover from 2017, but we need to be clear-eyed about this,” Davis noted.
The panel also weighed the expanding energy demands from large data center deals, which have raised questions about fairness. Senator Chip Campsen pointed out that the costs should not unfairly burden ratepayers.
This ongoing discussion highlights the critical need for thoughtful and equitable approaches to energy generation in South Carolina, especially as legislative efforts gear up to tackle these pressing issues in the coming weeks.
