An expert analysis filed this week examines the financial implications of Dominion Energy’s long-range energy strategy regarding two South Carolina coal-generating facilities. The analysis suggests that maintaining the Wateree and Williams coal plants beyond their currently scheduled retirement dates would result in substantial costs to ratepayers.
Under Dominion’s existing plan, the Wateree plant is slated for retirement in 2032, followed by the Williams plant in 2034. However, if the utility opts to extend operations at either facility past 2034, it would need to allocate approximately $200 million in ratepayer funds to satisfy federal coal wastewater regulations known as Effluent Limitation Guidelines. The analysis contends that Dominion has previously delayed proposed retirement timelines for these plants, resulting in financial and health-related consequences for South Carolina residents.
According to the expert findings, once Dominion’s Canadys gas plant becomes operational, the utility would possess sufficient generating capacity to retire both coal facilities while preserving the current level of grid stability. The analysis further indicates that electricity generation would exceed demand projections even after the coal plant retirements, suggesting that reliable power supply would not be compromised. The expert assessment also indicates that Dominion’s energy plan may not have fully accounted for the costs and risks associated with operating the two coal plants over the following eight years.
Advocacy organizations have emphasized potential benefits of accelerated retirement timelines, including reduced financial burdens on ratepayers during a period of rising energy costs and elimination of air pollution emissions from the facilities. Company leadership has been urged to prioritize coal plant retirements to deliver these benefits to South Carolina residents.
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