By Molly Parker

Even as the nation turns its attention to producing environmentally friendly energy through renewable resources, Santee Cooper is poised to construct a 600-megawatt pulverized coal facility near Kingsburg to meet the state’s growing energy demands.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been holding meetings recently to gather public input for the environmental impact statement it must put together before the plant can be built in rural Florence County.

Meanwhile, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce issued its support for the plant, saying in a news release Wednesday that it is “critical to South Carolina’s ability to keep its schools, homes and businesses running and to keep and attract good jobs and businesses.”

“Low cost and reliable power are listed consistently as top reasons by companies looking to relocate or expand,” read a statement from Charles Van Rysselberge, president and CEO of the chamber.

The $1 million coal-fired generation facility is expected to add 1,400 jobs during construction, and create 100 full-time jobs with an average salary of $50,000 once completed, the release said.

Coal-fired plants are a source of controversy because of the level of greenhouse gas they emit.

Coal generates 54% of the nation’s electricity, and is the single biggest air polluter in the United States, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Web site. Coal pollutes when it is mined, transported to the power plant, stored and burned, it reads.

The chamber’s support is based on Santee Cooper’s claim that it will run one of the cleanest power plants in the nation, reducing sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 97%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 90% and mercury emissions between 85% and 90%.

A study released earlier this week by the state’s electric cooperatives reported that only 3% of the state’s energy can be produced through renewable resources such as biomass, wind and solar.

Santee Cooper and SCE&G are looking to build a co-owned nuclear plant near the existing nuclear plant in Jenkinsville. Nuclear plants are considered more environmentally friendly but one has not been built in the United States for decades because of concerns over cost and safety.

South Carolina could soon be at the forefront of the debate over whether it is wise to ignite the nuclear age and turn to a source of energy that other countries have been utilizing for years.