The Real Story on Mercury - Quality in Balance

Introduction

There has been a lot of talk about mercury, especially as it relates to coal-fired power plants. That's because the issue of mercury – where it comes from and its impact – is complex. We at Santee Cooper know there are questions, and we want to address them responsibly and accurately.

Here's the good news: mercury isn't as daunting as some would have you believe. But because the issue of mercury is of interest to many people, we would like to shed some light on the topic.

The Quality of Our Lives is in the Balance

We do not live in a perfect world.

For example, X-rays expose us to trace amounts of radiation each time one is taken. However, they are a critical diagnostic tool for physicians to find broken bones, blood clots, cancers and more to administer the proper treatment. Any minute risk associated with X-rays is far outweighed by the risk of not having these images available.

Similarly, when we turn on lights, air conditioners or computers, we need electrical power.

Producing power from coal-fired plants does involve minute levels of mercury emissions. Responsible producers, like Santee Cooper, are using the highest and best available environmental control technology to minimize those emissions, assuring South Carolinians that they are safe, and that they can continue to count on us to produce reliable, affordable power while still fulfilling our responsibility to protect our environment.

If you take away nothing else, remember this:

The dangers of mercury emissions from power plants have been misunderstood
Mercury travels – only about 1% of worldwide mercury emissions are actually produced by U.S power plants.
Our country and state have extremely strict environmental regulations that Santee Cooper complies – and will continue to comply – with
...and most importantly, our new Pee Dee Energy Campus will be one of the most strictly regulated and environmentally conscious power plants in the country.

The discussion of mercury is complex. At Santee Cooper, we understand people may be interested in this topic and feel a responsibility to respond to that interest.

Santee Cooper is committed to providing South Carolinians with reliable, affordable electrical power, and we will do so while complying with all federal and state emission standards – including those applying to mercury. Furthermore, our Pee Dee Energy Campus will not only comply with those standards but will emit only a minute amount of mercury thanks to its use of the highest and best available environmental control technology.