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.
Figure 3.7.4: Streams and Wetlands from Duke Energy's Environmental Report. Click here to see additional site maps.
What Stage Is the Project In?
The Public Service Commission is currently reviewing Duke Energy's application. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 2, at 6 pm, where community members can speak directly to regulators.
The PSC must ultimately decide whether this project meets South Carolina's legal standards for environmental compatibility, public necessity and financial viability.
Take Action
There are several meaningful ways to get involved:
Join Our Webinar to Learn More
SCELP will join CVSC and Sierra Club on Thursday, January 15 at 12 pm to share more about what’s being proposed, how the process works and how to deliver effective public comments. Register here.
Attend and Speak at the Public Hearing on February 2 at 6 pm
Speaking in person is one of the most powerful forms of public participation. Your comments become part of the official record that regulators must consider. Sign up here.
The deadline to pre-register is 4 pm on Wednesday, January 28.
Submit a Written Comment
If you can't attend the hearing, written comments still matter and are reviewed by the PSC. Submit your comment here.
Talking Points
Your voice matters, and you do not need to be an expert to participate. When speaking or writing, focus on what matters most to you and your community. The points below are offered as guidance. You can use one, several or adapt them to reflect your own concerns.
Environmental impacts
The combined-cycle gas plant is proposed for a greenfield site in Anderson County with many precious natural features, including streams and wetlands.
Even if these streams and wetlands are not directly filled or rerouted, which could become necessary during construction, they will be disturbed by the siting and construction of this project.
Streams and wetlands are extremely important resources that contribute to water quality, filtration of pollutants and resilience in the face of more extreme weather events.
Decisions about where to locate major energy infrastructure should prioritize avoiding sensitive natural areas whenever possible, especially when alternative sites or energy strategies exist.
Community health risks
This combined-cycle gas plant would expose the surrounding community to fine particulate matter, a harmful form of air pollution linked to adverse health outcomes.
The proposed site is located in an area with high population density, near neighborhoods, schools and places of worship within and surrounding Anderson city limits.
Children, seniors and people with existing respiratory or health conditions would be especially vulnerable to these impacts.
Cost and energy implications
The project is estimated to cost $3.2 billion, which will likely be passed on to Duke Energy ratepayers, who are already experiencing rising energy bills.
The long-term financial risks of locking customers into decades of gas power infrastructure deserve careful scrutiny, particularly as cleaner, less costly alternatives exist and continue to advance.
Growth pressure and land-use change
Placing a combined-cycle gas plant in this area could permanently change the rural character of Anderson County.
Large energy facilities rarely stand alone. They drive the expansion of heavy industrial uses, paving the way for data centers and other energy-intensive developments that increase pollution, strain infrastructure, and reshape communities.
Process and accountability
Regulators must ensure that this project truly meets the legal standard of environmental compatibility and public convenience and necessity – not just in theory, but in practice.
Public input must meaningfully inform the outcome, not be treated as a formality after key decisions have already been made.
As green spaces continue to disappear across the Upstate, we thank you for standing up for this one!
SCELP's Role
The South Carolina Environmental Law Project provides legal expertise and advocacy to ensure that major infrastructure decisions comply with state law and protect communities and nature. We will continue to monitor this proposal closely and work alongside partners to uphold strong environmental standards.
