SC agency proposes mercury levels for power plant

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - State environmental officials are recommending that a coal-fired power plant proposed for the Pee Dee be limited in the amount of mercury it can release into the air.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control has proposed that the Santee Cooper plant be allowed to release about 93 pounds of mercury.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports that is 45 pounds less than DHEC’s earlier standard and about 21 pounds less than what Santee Cooper said in July was technically feasible.

Santee Cooper spokeswoman Laura Varn says the state-owned utility has to determine if it can operate under such a limit.      But Blan Holman with the Southern Environmental Law Center says

the standard is still too weak.

Santee Cooper is seeking permits to build a 1,200 megawatt power generator near Florence.
   
Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net