Per South Carolina Environmental Law Project:
WHAT STAGE is the Project at?
The Public Service Commission is currently reviewing Duke Energy's application. The PSC will ultimately decide whether this project meets South Carolina's legal standards for environmental compatibility, public necessity and financial viability.
WHERE?
The proposed site is located in an area with high population density, including the largest employers on that side of town on Masters Blvd, Homeland Park and the downtown area.
Exact proposed location is the east side of Hwy 81, south of Masters Blvd, north of Travis Road, just west of Upstate Mechanical Solutions.
WHAT'S Being Proposed
Duke Energy is seeking approval to construct a 1,365-megawatt combined-cycle gas power plant on nearly 200 acres of undeveloped land in Anderson County, with streams and wetlands, and in close proximity to homes, schools and city limits.
The project would include:
Two gas turbine generators
Two heat recovery steam generators
One steam turbine generator
The estimated cost of the project is $3.2 billion. Duke Energy formally began the approval process on October 30, 2025, when it submitted an application to the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Convenience and Necessity (CECPCN) – a required step before other permits are applied for and construction can begin.
HOW COULD THIS AFFECT YOU?
Community Health Risks, Cost for Duke Power Customers, Environmental Impact and more…
~ This type of gas plant would expose the surrounding community to fine particulate matter, a harmful form of air pollution linked to aggravated asthma, heart attacks, chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function in children and chronic lung issues have been observed in adults with continuous long term exposure. Most adverse effects have been observed in children and the elderly.
~ The project is an estimated $3.2B which costs would most likely be passed on to local customers.
~ The placement both affects the southern part of the city and the long term rural character of the area.
~ Large energy sources like this are rarely “stand alone”. They are built so they can used to bring data centers that need massive amounts of water, increased hazardous material waste, and large amounts of CO2 emissions which can present mild to severe health concerns, especially so close to very densely populated area.
~ A plant of this size is expected to create an average of 30 jobs. Any subsequent data centers that might pop up following the completion can range on average from 20 to 100.
~ The particulate matter has up to a 9 mile radius, posing health risks to the densely populated Homeland Park area and southern portion of the Downtown area, Starr (6 miles), West Anderson Airport (8 miles), Iva (11 miles) and Honea Path (down wind 18 miles).
read more on the health risks of Particulate Matter here…
read more on the health risks of CO2 Emissions here…