updates community leaders on new reactor projects

Staff Writer

The VC Summer Nuclear Power Plant recently invited a variety of county leaders and interested citizens to a informational gathering to discuss the new reactor projects planned for Fairfield County.

Robert Yanity is the voice of SCE&G to the public and started the meeting with a general summary about the proposed start-up of a second and third site near the current location of the nuclear power plant on Lake Monticello (VC Summer).

Yanity gave information about the cheap and clean way nuclear power supplies South Carolina with electricity.

Ron Clary also from SCE&G (a SCANA Company) gave several reasons why it made sense to place two more reactors next to the current plant near Jenkinsville.

Clary said that many things were already in place due to the current plant, such as a siren system, transmission lines and other existing start-up necessities that would make the project cheaper to locate at VC Summer.

The granite rock layer near the surface of the ground is also a benefit. It gives a sturdy support to the foundation work of the project, Clary noted, and added that the existing water source of Lake Monticello (man made specifically to serve VC Summer) would serve all three reactors.

Final approval of the building of these reactors has not been granted.

A Public Service Commission (PSC) hearing September 10 will look at a request to begin early site development.

SCE& G are already cutting trees in hopes of final approval but at this stage they can not pull up tree stumps or do other preliminary work.

September 22 the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will visit Fairfield County.

By mid- October the NRC will look at the environment and October 27 PSC will have public hearings.

Jeff Archie, Vice President, Nuclear Operations, at VC Summer is from Fairfield County and wants residents to have all the information they need to understand what it means to have this facility in the area.

Archie says of the nuclear power plant, “everything we do is transparent” and invites citizen groups to schedule a time to have someone come to speak at their location or gather at the VC Summer on-site auditorium.

Presenter and guest at this informational forum discussed the rate increase for SCE& G customers. This rate increase, allowed by SC law, will be paid bit by bit by the utility customers to help defray the cost of the project. It was said that down the road the cost should decrease after the new sites are up and running (beginning around 2016).

County Council chairman David Ferguson spoke up and noted that since part of the proposed new expansion was to benefit the state owned utility, Santee Cooper, a percentage of that taxable income would not be coming to Fairfield County.

Mayor of Jenkinsville Gregrey Ginyard questioned the frequency of the refueling of the reactors that takes place every 18 months.

If three sites are running, Archie explained, then they would stager their 18 month rotation so that a refueling of one would occur every six months.

Ginyard was vocal about his concerns during the session as well as during the tour conducted from a van to view the proposed sites.

Ginyard asked how the community of Jenkinsville had benefited during all the years VC Summer had been at the site.

Archie responded that the revenue from taxes paid by the company has helped the local school district.

The creation of Lake Monticello for the water supply needed for cooling purposes at the power plant also has given recreation to the community, Archie said and added that everyone benefits from more jobs and safe reliable energy.

Ginyard later commented to those taking the tour that his Jenkinsville property which had been in his family for six generations had a property tax increase from $800 to $2,300.

This occurred because the value of Ginyard’s property increased. His former farmland now has 700’ of waterfront on Lake Monticello.

If approved, the proposed reactor units #2 and #3 will have an impact on the additional 1,988 acres that will be added to the current VC Summer facility.

It will also have good and bad repercussions in Jenkinsville, Fairfield County and the State of South Carolina.

The pros and cons will continue to be debated until final approval is given and Westinghouse gives Shaw (the construction Company)the nod to start building.