Santee Cooper and Dominion Seek Permits for 2,200 MW Gas Plant
Regulators open public comment period for the Canadys Station expansion, a massive natural gas facility that will replace legacy coal infrastructure in Colleton County.
Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy South Carolina have initiated the environmental permitting process for the Canadys Station Combined Cycle Generating Plant Phase 1. The proposed facility is designed to produce approximately 2,200 megawatts of net electrical output using three independent, advanced-class combined cycle power trains. This expansion targets a site in Colleton County that previously operated as a coal-fired plant for South Carolina Electric and Gas and later Dominion from 1962 to 2013.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDES) has scheduled a public hearing for September 22, 2026, to accept oral and written comments. The hearing will take place at the Walterboro Wildlife Center, where regulators will review applications for air quality permits under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration program. The project relies primarily on natural gas, with No. 2 fuel oil designated as a secondary backup source.
Regulatory Review of Air Quality Applications
SCDES is currently evaluating the air quality construction permit application, which sets the conditions for demonstrating compliance with state and federal emission standards. The bureau issues these permits to limit regulated pollutants, ensuring that the new facility meets health and environmental protections. Alongside the air permit, the agencies have submitted requests for coverage under the NPDES General Permit for stormwater discharges associated with construction site clearing.
These submissions do not involve the filling or clearing of state waters, but they require a Coastal Zone Consistency Certification. The review process involves detailed modeling and engineered designs to ensure that the plant's operation aligns with environmental regulations. The scale of the project means that permit applications are being processed in stages rather than as a single consolidated package.
Legacy Site Infrastructure and Demolition
The Canadys Station site has undergone a transition from coal generation to a utility energy corridor. Since 2013, activities have focused on the demolition and decommissioning of the former coal-fired power plant and its ancillary facilities. The site continues to host active utility operations, including existing 110 kilovolt transmission lines and a substation, which will likely support the new generation capacity.
Separate Pipeline Expansion Permitting
The Elba Express Company, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, is expanding a natural gas pipeline to serve the region. This infrastructure project is subject to its own independent environmental permitting process by SCDES. As of the current filing, no applications have been submitted for the pipeline expansion, meaning its regulatory timeline remains distinct from the power plant's air and stormwater permits.
