Last week’s announcement that South Carolina will become a ”wind energy hub” may be one of many alternative energy developments for the Palmetto State. Government, power utility and business leaders have continued to “talk green,” while cap and trade legislation stalls in Congress.
A new project at the at the Savannah River Site (SRS) replaces a deteriorating, inefficient coal powerhouse and oil-fired boilers at a savings of approximately $35 million a year in energy and operation and maintenance costs and reduces air emissions, including 100,000 tons per year of greenhouse gas emissions.
“”By investing in energy efficiency, we are creating good jobs that can’t be outsourced. This project will employ 800 workers during construction and about 25 people during permanent operations,” said Secretary Chu in addressing an audience of over 150 stakeholders and employees during the groundbreaking ceremony at SRS.
Progress Energy, a power supplier in parts of the state, is also seeking 45 to 75 megawatts of capacity from wood biomass facilities starting in 2013. The request is part of the utility’s efforts to increase the amount of electricity it purchases from renewable energy resources. [Read more...]
