Overview  

The South Carolina Public Service Authority (SCPSA)(Santee Cooper) Cross Generating Station (CGS) is a coal-fired electric power generating station located at 553 Cross Station Road, Pineville, SC  29648, Berkeley County. CGS began operation in 1983. 

CGS is permitted to discharge treated wastewater to the Diversion Canal to Lake Moultrie under NPDES permit SC0037401 issued by DHEC on November 3, 2006 and expired on August 31, 2010. The facility continues to operate under the existing administratively-continued permit which sets monitoring requirements and pollutant limits, as necessary, on the effluent from the wastewater treatment system. Flow, pH, total suspended solids (TSS), oil and grease, temperature, 5-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5), dissolved oxygen, chromium, zinc, mercury, total residual chlorine (TRC), whole effluent toxicity (WET), fecal coliform, and free available chlorine are currently monitored in the permit.  

CGS submitted an application for reissuance of their NPDES permit, and the Department has drafted a new draft NPDES permit in accordance with this request and applicable regulations. The draft permit, DHEC's rationale for the proposed permit limitations, and the permit application are available at the links below.  

In addition to setting effluent monitoring requirements and pollutant limits, the new draft NPDES permit would also require continued groundwater monitoring at the site.   Fourteen wells would be monitored for metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and selenium), sulfate, total dissolved solids, turbidity, pH. and specific conductance.  

The draft permit is currently on public notice as of November 3, 2023. 

• NPDES Permit Renewal Application  
• Draft NPDES Renewal Permit 
• Draft Rationale for NPDES Renewal Permit  

Community Engagement  

Community Engagement is an important component of the environmental permitting process that provides DHEC with valuable input from nearby communities and allows us to hear comments, concerns and questions before a final permit decision is made. The input that DHEC staff receives from community members can result in additional review, research and consideration of issues unique to a specific site or facility by DHEC staff. For communities that are impacted by a regulated facility our Community Engagement activities often continue after our formal public comment period closes.   

As part of the permitting process, DHEC engages surrounding communities and the general public prior to making a final permit decision in order to:   

• Provide information about proposed environmental activities in their communities;   
• Give community members and other interested parties an opportunity to submit relevant information to DHEC for consideration prior to making a final permit decision; and   
• Provide an opportunity to bring other concerns to the attention of DHEC and the applicant.   

DHEC values all comments received during the permitting process and is committed to addressing and considering all relevant information prior to making a final permit decision. Public input is an important part of the permitting process and sometimes results in changes to permit conditions and operational practices if a permit is issued.   

Previous opportunities for community engagement related to the reissuance of the NPDES permit for this facility included an informational virtual public meeting and virtual public hearing on November 9, 2021.

Public Hearing (6:30 pm) December 5, 2023

DHEC's Bureau of Water will held a public hearing on December 5, 2023 to discuss the reissuance of the NPDES permit for SCPSA Cross Generating Station SC0037401. 

• Santee Cooper Cross Public Hearing Recording - December 5, 2023

What to Expect After the Public Comment Period    

Comments on the draft permit will be accepted by DHEC through close of business on December 8, 2023. All comments received by the end of the notice period, will be considered when making a decision to approve, disapprove, or modify the permit. Once a final decision is made by DHEC, this webpage will be updated and everyone on DHEC’s mailing list for SCPSA Cross Generating Station will be notified. If you would like to be on our mailing list, please complete the registration form.  

Local DHEC Contacts   

To speak with local DHEC staff, please contact our Columbia Environmental Affairs Office at (803) 896‐0620.  

For information on current or previous sites of public interest, visit DHEC's Environmental Sites of Interest webpage.