Public meeting set for Tuesday on coal-fired power plant

The public will have a chance to hear more about a proposed coal-fired power plant wanting to come to lower Florence County Tuesday.  According to a press release, the public is invited to attend a meeting at Hannah-Pamplico High School at 6 p.m to discuss an air quality application submitted by Santee Cooper for a proposed new coal-fired power plant in Florence County.

DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality received an application for a Case-by-Case Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT), also called “112(g)” air permit by Santee Cooper. The public meeting is being held for local citizens to ask questions and offer comments on the proposed project to be located near Kingsburg and Pamplico.

At the meeting, information on the 112(g) application and DHEC’s air permitting process will be provided, along with an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide comments on the application.

The U.S. Court of Appeals eliminated the federal Clean Air Mercury Rule for power plants. Until a new mercury regulation is issued by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, each new power plant will have to propose emission limits to control hazardous air pollutants, including mercury. DHEC is required to review the proposed limits and application and make a MACT determination.