MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Santee Cooper has announced the permanent retirement of both generating units at Grainger Generating Station and the two coal-fired generating units at Jefferies Generating Station, effective Dec. 31, 2012.

This action is in accordance with an October decision by the Santee Cooper Board of Directors, which authorized the retirement of both coal-fired units at Grainger, located in Conway, and four generating units at Jefferies Generating Station in Moncks Corner. That decision was in response to changing generation needs and expensive new environmental regulations that would require significant upgrades at those stations. They are Santee Cooper’s oldest and smallest generating stations. The Jefferies hydroelectric units will not be impacted.

Santee Cooper is relocating affected Jefferies employees to other positions made available through attrition, so no layoffs are anticipated. Grainger has been idle since the spring and most employees have already been relocated from that station.

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, and the state’s largest power producer. The ultimate source of electricity for 2 million South Carolinians, Santee Cooper is dedicated to being the state’s leading resource for improving the quality of life for the people of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.santeecooper.com.