By: Salma Al-Saqqa
South Carolina is preparing to hold a public hearing to discuss the air permit application submitted for the "Candice" natural gas power plant project, as part of regulatory procedures to ensure compliance with environmental standards. This move comes after "Dominion Energy" and "Santee Cooper" submitted an application to the state's Department of Environmental Services to obtain the permit required to operate the 2200 MW plant.
Details of the Candice Power Plant Project
The "Candice" plant is a massive facility relying on combined-cycle technologies to enhance electricity supplies in the region. The project's infrastructure includes three power generation sets, cooling towers, emergency diesel generators, and fuel tanks. Given the nature of this equipment, they are classified as potential sources of gaseous emissions, with estimates indicating the possibility of releasing quantities of greenhouse gases, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and formaldehyde.
Debate over environmental standards
In contrast, "Dominion Energy" and "Santee Cooper" confirmed that the plant will rely on advanced burners and catalysts to reduce emissions to their lowest levels, emphasizing that the project will comply with all strict government and federal regulations. The companies explained that the licensing processes in South Carolina are transparent and based on solid scientific foundations that ensure the safety of the surrounding communities.
Demands for stricter monitoring
On the other hand, some environmental groups are raising concerns about the adequacy of the regulatory procedures proposed in the draft permit. These entities are calling for the imposition of stricter requirements regarding methodologies for monitoring the quantities of emissions resulting from the plant's operation. The state's Department of Environmental Services is scheduled to host the hearing at the Walterboro Wildlife Center, where officials will provide a detailed explanation of the air permit clauses and respond to questions from the public and specialists regarding the potential environmental impacts of the project.
