SC Says NO to Dirty Coal ...and YES to Clean Energy!

A majory victory was won by the people of South Carolina and the SC Says No Coalition. The Santee Cooper Board of Directors unanimously voted to suspend permitting of the Pee Dee Plant. This is a huge victory for quality of life in the Palmetto State. Thank you to everyone who joined in the last coal plant fight in South Carolina.

There are so many reasons to be against a new coal plant: severe health risks, tons of pollution, damage to our natural heritage, destroyed mountains, global warming, wasted money, higher bills, and squandered opportunities – just to name a few. It’s easy to say “no” !

The hard job is showing another way, an alternative to coal to which everyone can say “yes” !

Fortunately, there are many proven alternatives and both the people of South Carolina and the Board and staff at Santee Cooper recognize this. South Carolina has abundant energy resources that are cleaner, faster, cheaper and better for jobs and economic development than a new coal plant.

First among these resources is energy efficiency. Basically, energy efficiency means getting more while using less. We can all think of ways we could use energy more wisely; the surprising thing about energy efficiency is that with the right incentives and technologies, the potential to save is nearly unlimited!

Another important resource is renewable energy. While polluting fuels like coal must be dug out of the earth and will one day run out, renewable energy can never be used up and is nearly pollution free.

Together, these two resources are more than enough for Santee Cooper to serve its customers – no new coal plant is necessary!

Over time, energy efficiency and renewable energy can be the foundation of the entire state’s energy future – a future that is cleaner, healthier, wealthier than today.

That is something everyone can say “yes” to!