More than two dozen residents voiced environmental and health concerns during a public hearing on Duke Energy’s proposal to build a natural gas power plant in Anderson County, a project that would become the company’s largest gas facility in South Carolina.

Residents attended a public hearing by the South Carolina Public Service Commission on Feb. 2 at the Martin Luther King Anderson Civic Center.

The planned 1,400-megawatt natural gas power plant would be on Highway 81 South near True Temper Road.

Supporters argue the project could strengthen the local economy and expand school funding, while opponents warn the environmental and health costs may outweigh potential economic gains.