Carter’s address to several hundred attendees was the highlight of Santee Cooper’s recent Berkeley County Appreciation Dinner in Pinopolis.
According to Carter, Santee Cooper’s customers grew by 1,500 last year, despite a tumultuous economy that saw overall energy sales decrese slightly.
He said that, at 99.99 percent, Santee Cooper’s reliability rate “is the envy of the world,” and that customers’ electricity was out an average of only five minutes over the past 12 months.
“We take a great deal of pride at what we do here,” Carter said.
Carter said Santee Cooper’s accomplishments in 2009 included the successful launching of “Reduce the Use,” a comprehensive energy efficiency program. The program ties in with Santee Cooper’s goal to generate 40 percent of its energy from non-greenhouse emitting resources by 2020.
According to Carter, new federal regulations must be watched closely, and could be damaging economically. “What happens in Washington will have a great impact on us,” he said. “The (Environmental Protection Agency) is galloping down the regulatory highway.”
Carter said one EPA proposal would see DHEC permits needed by businesses increase by 10,000 annually in South Carolina. “The EPA is busy and should be watched,” Carter said.
Carter called nuclear energy a vital part of future energy in South Carolina and beyond. “A nuclear site … is key to low cost, reliable power,” he said.
Santee Cooper Board Chairman O.L. Thompson echoed Carter’s sentiments, and said a new nuclear facility could become a reality by 2016. Thompson said federal regulations have made the process of obtaining permits for a nuclear site expensive and painstaking.
Thompson added that proposed cap and trade regulation would be “unfair to South Carolina” as the state competes with others around the nation.
Thompson said Santee Cooper is “blessed to call Berkeley County home.”
The May 23 dinner was attended by a host of county business and civic leaders.
