Dominion Energy Keeps South Carolina’s Coal Plants Operating in 2025 IRP Update

COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 1, 2025) – Yesterday, Dominion Energy released its 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update for South Carolina, which includes keeping two coal plants operating years past their planned retirement dates.

Dominion’s repeated pushback of coal retirement dates is leaving ratepayers to foot the bill of these dirty, inefficient plants. Dominion has already pushed back its planned retirement date for its Williams coal plant from 2028 to 2030, but in this new IRP Update, Dominion proposes retiring Williams in 2031, and potentially as late as 2034. Dominion has also pushed back the retirement date for its Wateree coal plant from 2028 to 2031, with a potential to keep the plant online through 2032. 

Until these plants are retired, Dominion’s customers will be saddled with the high costs of installing new equipment to reduce their pollution, which is required under environmental regulations. Dominion also admits there would be lower fuel costs in a scenario where it retires its coal plants sooner. Keeping these plants operational longer is also inconsistent with the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions. 

In response, Paul Black, Senior Campaign Organizer, released the following statement:

“Dominion’s delay in retiring the aging Wateree and Williams coal plants is expensive, reckless, and will saddle South Carolinians with higher bills and more pollution. Wateree, the oldest operational coal plant in the state, is already past its prime, yet Dominion is making customers foot the bill for expensive pollution controls just to keep it running for only a few more years. Dominion claims to be committed to reducing emissions while doubling down on outdated fossil fuels. South Carolina deserves a cleaner, more affordable energy future—not more of the same dirty, expensive coal.”