Utility Customers Could Save Millions from Dominion Coal Plant Retirements, New Expert Analysis Shows
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Grid Reliability Would Remain Strong After Planned Retirements of Wateree & Williams Coal Plants
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Expert analysis filed Wednesday reveals that Dominion Energy’s new long-range energy plan will generate far more electricity than it needs by 2033 if it keeps its two large coal plants online, creating significant costs for ratepayers.
Dominion’s current energy plan would retire its Wateree plant in 2032 and Williams plant in 2034. If Dominion chooses to operate the plants beyond 2034, it would have to spend roughly $200 million in ratepayer money to comply with federal coal wastewater regulations, known as Effluent Limitation Guidelines. Dominion has repeatedly pushed back its proposed retirement dates for these coal plants, which has already cost South Carolinians their money and health.
Once Dominion’s Canadys gas plant comes online, the utility can retire its expensive and polluting Wateree and Williams coal plants while maintaining the same level of grid reliability it provides today. Dominion will generate more than enough electricity after retiring the coal plants while maintaining grid reliability, even if new demand is higher than what the company currently projects. In its energy plan, Dominion also failed to fully capture the costs and risks faced by its customers from operating the two coal plants over the next eight years.
Testimony from the Sierra Club’s expert witnesses can be found here and here.
Paul Black, Sr. Campaign Organizer for Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign in the Carolinas, released the following statement:
“Delaying the closure of the Wateree and Williams coal plants would increase the financial burdens on families already struggling during an affordability crisis. Coal retirements would also eliminate air pollution from these plants, making it easier for people to breathe. Dominion’s President Kellar Kissam has the opportunity to deliver these crucial benefits for South Carolinians by retiring Wateree and Williams as soon as possible.”
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