Scana, Santee Cooper to consider new nuclear plant

The last license issued for a nuclear plant that actually led to construction and operation of one was in 1973. The U.S. nuclear industry has been virtually frozen since the Three Mile Island accident in 1979.

Scana said it needed to begin the planning process now since it can take eight to 10 years to get permits for and then build a new major generation facility. Any plant would be intended to meet forecast needs in 2015.

Scana's principal subsidiary is South Carolina Electric and Gas Co., or SCE&G. Santee Cooper is South Carolina's state-owned utility. SCE&G already works with Santee Cooper on nuclear generation at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station near Jenkinsville, South Carolina.