COLUMBIA — A request by electric power provider South Carolina Electric and Gas to begin working on the site where it hopes to build two nuclear reactors was put on hold by state regulators Wednesday.
An environmental group had asked for more time to build opposition to the company's request.
SCE&G and state-owned utility
Santee Cooper want to construct and operate two additional reactors at their V.C. Summer Nuclear Station near Columbia.
In a letter to the commission, SCE&G said it needs to start the site work immediately so it can replace railroad tracks that will be needed in late 2009 for work on its existing reactor in Fairfield County.
The companies say they need the reactors, estimated to cost about $10 billion, to meet increased demand for power in the region.
To help pay for the reactors, which are still awaiting approval by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, SCE&G also is asking state regulators to let it start increasing electricity rates now.
A series of hearings on the rate request have been scheduled for later this year.
But no hearings were scheduled for the company's request to begin site work.
In its letter to the commission, SCE&G said no hearings are needed because it will absorb the cost of the work even if its rate increase and application for the new reactors are denied.
Tom Clements, the Southeast nuclear campaign coordinator for Friends of
the Earth, said letting the company start work only makes it more likely that its request for a rate increase will be approved.
The Public Service Commission will meet again July 30.
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