County Council Chairman David Ferguson stands beside General Manager Nuclear Operations George Lippard as he hands County Treasurer Norma Branham the V.C. Summer property tax payment. Back row, left to right are V.C. Summer Chemistry Manager Melissa Harmon, Fairfield County School Superintendent J.R. Green and Fairfield County Councilman Kamau Marcharia.

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WINNSBORO — Fairfield County officials gathered at the county treasurer’s office Jan. 15 to meet with representatives of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Plant – and receive a check for $23.4 million.

Each year the plant sends people out to formally present its property tax check to the county. This year, South Carolina Electric & Gas Company presented Fairfield County with a check for $23.4 million for 2012 property taxes.

George Lippard, general manager of Nuclear Operations, said the annual ceremony is part of the plant being a good neighbor to the surrounding community. Due to an increase in property values, this year’s check was more than the previous years and SCE&G will provide even more revenue once its new nuclear facilities are built.

“We are very pleased that V.C. Summer Nuclear Station continues to be a major contributor to the local economy through property taxes that support schools, roads, and critical public services for the residents of Fairfield County,” said Dan Gatlin, vice president of Nuclear Operations at V.C. Summer.

V.C. Summer Unit 1, which has been in commercial operation since 1984, currently employs about 800 SCE&G employees and contractors. The two new reactors are projected to add 600 to 800 permanent jobs when they start generating electricity.

Fairfield County Superintendent of Schools J.R. Green was on hand for the ceremony since a large portion of the tax dollars — $12,878,000 — funds education in the county. Just over $20,000 is allocated to the towns of Ridgeway and Winnsboro, combined. Just over $7.7 million goes into the county general fund. Other funding supports the county EMS, fire department and county library.

Melissa Harmon, chemical manager at the plant and chamber of commerce representative for SCANA, said she was thankful to be working with a small town in Winnsboro.

SCE&G is a regulated utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 669,000 customers in South Carolina. The company also provides natural gas service to approximately 317,000 customers throughout the state. More information about SCE&G is available at www.sceg.com.