Duke Energy has received approval from the Public Service Commission (PSC) to construct a 1,365-megawatt combined-cycle gas power plant on nearly 200 acres of undeveloped land in Anderson County, with streams and wetlands, and in close proximity to homes, schools and city limits.
The project includes:
Two gas turbine generators
Two heat recovery steam generators
One steam turbine generator
The estimated cost of the project is $3.2 billion.
Figure 3.7.4: Streams and Wetlands from Duke Energy's Environmental Report. Click here to see additional site maps.
What Stage Is the Project In?
Despite the community’s concerns, the PSC approved Duke Energy’s application on March 26, 2026, which means the project has received the first approval it needs to move forward in Anderson County. Still, important decisions remain at the local level.
Duke Energy is now seeking significant tax incentives from the Anderson County Council. Over 40 years, the proposed tax incentives would cost the county approximately $2.59 billion in lost revenue – money that could otherwise support schools, roads and emergency services.
The Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. This hearing is your opportunity to weigh in on how the project will impact the community, including potential economic benefits and environmental costs.
Fee-in-lieu-of-tax (FILOT) agreements are meant to benefit the public when a project's advantages outweigh its costs. Does this gas plant – with its limited permanent jobs, harmful air pollution, and daily demand for over 500,000 gallons of water – truly serve the long-term interests of Anderson County? County Council's decision on these incentives will determine whether Anderson County secures fair, long-term benefits from this project, or if the community bears the costs while Duke Energy enjoys reduced financial obligations.
Duke Energy will also need other permits and approvals to move forward with this proposed gas plant. We will continue to monitor these processes and will update this webpage with additional opportunities for public involvement.
Take Action
Speak at the Public Hearing and email or call your County Councilor!
The Anderson County Council meeting and public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the Historic Courthouse on 101 S. Main Street.
We also encourage you to email or call your county councilor with your concerns. Their contact information can be found here.
Your voice matters, and you do not need to be an expert to participate. When speaking or writing, focus on what matters most to you and your community. The points below are offered as guidance. You can use one, several or adapt them to reflect your own concerns.
Environmental impacts
The combined-cycle gas plant is proposed for a greenfield site in Anderson County with many precious natural features, including a stretch of Beaver Creek and its associated wetlands, which connect downstream to Rocky River and Lake Secession.
Even if these streams and wetlands are not directly filled or rerouted, which could become necessary during construction, they will be disturbed by the siting and construction of this project.
Streams and wetlands are extremely important resources that contribute to water quality, filtration of pollutants and resilience in the face of more extreme weather events.
Decisions about where to locate major energy infrastructure should prioritize avoiding sensitive natural areas whenever possible, especially when alternative sites or energy strategies exist.
The proposed facility will require water for its operation, yet critical details remain unclear, including how much water will be used, where it will be sourced and what contingency plans are in place if air-cooling systems fail.
Nearly 85% of the Upper Savannah River Basin’s surface water is already permitted or registered for other uses, raising serious questions about cumulative strain on local water supplies.
Community health risks
This combined-cycle gas plant would expose the surrounding community to fine particulate matter, a harmful form of air pollution linked to adverse health outcomes such as respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, asthma, and increased risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer.
The proposed site is located in an area with high population density, near neighborhoods, elementary schools, places of worship and Anderson city limits.
Children, seniors and people with existing respiratory or health conditions would be especially vulnerable to these impacts.
Screening tools indicate this area is already overburdened by pollution and health stressors, raising serious environmental justice concerns about placing new industrial emissions in a community facing disproportionate public health risks.
Cost and energy implications
Fee-in-lieu-of-tax (FILOT) agreements are meant to benefit the public when a project's advantages outweigh its costs. Over 40 years, the proposed tax incentives would cost the county $2.59 billion in lost revenue – money that could otherwise support schools, roads and emergency services.
The project is estimated to cost $3.2 billion, which will likely be passed on to Duke Energy ratepayers, who are already experiencing rising energy bills.
The long-term financial risks of locking customers into decades of gas power infrastructure deserve careful scrutiny, particularly as cleaner, less costly alternatives exist and continue to advance.
Growth pressure and land-use change
Placing a combined-cycle gas plant in this area could permanently change the rural character of Anderson County.
Large energy facilities rarely stand alone. They drive the expansion of heavy industrial uses, paving the way for data centers and other energy-intensive developments that increase pollution, strain infrastructure, and reshape communities.
As green spaces continue to disappear across the Upstate, we thank you for standing up for this one!
SCELP's Role
The South Carolina Environmental Law Project provides legal expertise and advocacy to ensure that major infrastructure decisions comply with state law and protect communities and nature. We will continue to monitor this proposal closely and work alongside partners to uphold strong environmental standards.
