Santee Cooper , also known officially from the 1930s as the South Carolina Public Service Authority , is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility that came into being during the New Deal as both a rural electrification and public works project that created two lakes and cleared large tracts of land while building hydro-electric dams and power plants. Its headquarters are located in Moncks Corner, South Carolina .
29-594: As one of the largest power providers in South Carolina, Santee Cooper directly serves more than 165,000 residential and commercial customers in Berkeley , Georgetown , and Horry counties. With a fuel and energy supply that includes coal, nuclear, oil, natural gas, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources, Santee Cooper supplies power to the cities of Bamberg and Georgetown , 30 large industrial customers, and Charleston Air Force Base . Santee Cooper generates
58-589: A "rogue agency" due to its independence and financial problems. NextEra Energy , a Florida-based electric utility, bid to purchase Santee Cooper but withdrew in April 2021. In June 2021, the South Carolina General Assembly passed Act 90, overhauling the regulation of the utility but maintaining its state-owned status. The bill passed unanimously, making it veto-proof. Act 90 of 2021, effective after January 1, 2022, brings Santee Cooper under
87-499: A concentration of 26.3 percent by weight (% w/w). At 100 °C (212 °F) (the boiling temperature of pure water), the amount of salt that can be dissolved in one liter of water increases to about 391 grams, a concentration of 28.1% w/w. At 100 °C (212 °F; 373 K), saturated sodium chloride brine is about 28% salt by weight. At 0 °C (32 °F; 273 K), brine can only hold about 26% salt. At 20 °C one liter of water can dissolve about 357 grams of salt,
116-444: A concentration of 26.3%. The thermal conductivity of seawater (3.5% dissolved salt by weight) is 0.6 W/mK at 25 °C (77 °F). The thermal conductivity decreases with increasing salinity and increases with increasing temperature. The salt content can be determined with a salinometer . Density ρ of brine at various concentrations and temperatures from 200 to 575 °C (392 to 1,067 °F) can be approximated with
145-445: A linear equation: ρ [ l b / f t 3 ] = a 3 − ( a 2 ⋅ T [ F ] ) {\displaystyle \rho [lb/ft^{3}]=a_{3}-(a_{2}\cdot T[F])} where the values of a n are: About four percent of hydrogen gas produced worldwide is created by electrolysis . The majority of this hydrogen produced through electrolysis
174-439: Is 1,000 to 3,000 ppm (0.1–0.3%); in moderately saline water is 3,000 to 10,000 ppm (0.3–1%); and in highly saline water is 10,000 to 35,000 ppm (1–3.5%). Seawater has a salinity of roughly 35,000 ppm, equivalent to 35 grams of salt per one liter (or kilogram) of water. The saturation level is only nominally dependent on the temperature of the water. At 20 °C (68 °F) one liter of water can dissolve about 357 grams of salt,
203-443: Is water. As of the 2020 census , there were 229,861 people, 80,640 households, and 57,117 families residing in the county. At the 2010 census , there were 177,843 people, 65,419 households, and 47,141 families living in the county. The population density was 161.8 inhabitants per square mile (62.5/km ). There were 73,372 housing units at an average density of 66.8 per square mile (25.8/km ). The racial makeup of
232-487: The 2000 census , there were 142,651 people, 49,922 households, and 37,691 families living in the county. The population density was 130 people per square mile (50 people/km ). There were 54,717 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile (19/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 68.00% White , 26.63% Black or African American , 0.52% Native American, 1.87% Asian , 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. 2.76% of
261-491: The 2020 census , its population was 229,861. Its county seat is Moncks Corner , and the largest community is Goose Creek . After two previous incarnations of Berkeley County, the current county was created in 1882. Berkeley County is included in the Charleston - North Charleston , SC Metropolitan Statistical Area . Berkeley County was established in 1682. It was named after John and William Berkeley , co-owners of
290-659: The Province of Carolina . It became part of the Charleston District in 1769. It did not exist as a District during most of the 19th century and generally was part of the Low Country culture. In 1882, after Democrats regained control of the state legislature following the Reconstruction era , they established the current incarnation of Berkeley County, with its seat at Mount Pleasant . The county seat
319-587: The Johns Island-Queensboro 115kV Transmission project on Johns Island , South Carolina. The 5.1 mile-long transmission line will be the island's second line and has received the requisite approvals from the relevant state agencies as well as the United States Army Corps of Engineers . It will traverse 2.2 miles of preexisting right of way . The utilities will need to acquire approximately 2.9 miles of new right of way. Parts of
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#1732790817545348-764: The county is in the Berkeley County School District . Saltwater Saline water (more commonly known as salt water ) is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved salts (mainly sodium chloride ). On the United States Geological Survey (USGS) salinity scale, saline water is saltier than brackish water , but less salty than brine . The salt concentration is usually expressed in parts per thousand (permille, ‰) and parts per million (ppm). The USGS salinity scale defines three levels of saline water. The salt concentration in slightly saline water
377-537: The county was 66.5% white, 25.0% black or African American, 2.3% Asian, 0.6% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 2.8% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.0% of the population. Of the 65,419 households, 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.9% were non-families, and 22.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size
406-554: The creation of Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie , the project was intended to improve the health, recreation, and economy of the area. At the time, the Santee Cooper Project was the largest land-clearing project in U.S. history, with over 12,500 workers clearing over 177,000 acres (720 km) of swamp and forestland. 42 miles (68 km) of dams and dikes were constructed, including a 26-mile (42 km), 78-foot (24 m) tall earthen dike. The Pinopolis Dam included
435-509: The formerly-fresh Santee river became saline, disrupting the local ecological communities . The $ 48.2 million project (55 percent federal loan, 45 percent federal grant) first generated electricity on February 17, 1942. As transmission lines were built, power flowed to customers in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties, and ultimately to electric cooperatives serving customers in 46 counties. ( MW ) ( GWh ) (Tons/year) In addition to
464-523: The hydroelectric station and navigation lock , the highest single-lift lock in the world. A 3,400-foot (1,000 m) spillway was built to control floodwaters, with 62 gates allowing overflow of excess water. In completing the largest earth-moving project in the nation's history, 42,000,000 cubic yards (32,000,000 m) of earth were moved and 3.1 million cubic yards of concrete were poured. The project also caused substantial hardship to local landowners. The formerly- saline Cooper river became fresh, and
493-399: The line will run through a number of wetlands, including Simmons Creek and Murray Creek. Residents of surrounding neighborhoods have raised concerns about the line's environmental impacts. It is estimated that it would have cost approximately $ 30 million to bury the line. Berkeley County, South Carolina Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina . As of
522-472: The partial construction. For his leadership and vision, Carter is projected to receive over $ 800,000 a year in retirement. Following the failure , the predominant issue facing the South Carolina General Assembly from 2018 until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was whether to sell Santee Cooper or to reform the utility's management. The sale of the utility is favored by Governor McMaster . He called Santee Cooper
551-424: The plants listed above, Santee Cooper has 28 MW of Landfill gas generation and 74 MW of wood biomass generation. Santee Cooper has 800 MW of renewable energy generation online or under contract. Santee Cooper owns one-third of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station operated by Dominion Energy South Carolina , which owns the remaining two-thirds. Since 2017, Santee Cooper has partnered with Dominion Energy to construct
580-488: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.4% were of American , 10.0% German , 8.4% Irish and 7.7% English ancestry according to Census 2000 . Of the 49,922 households 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 19.40% of households were one person and 5.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size
609-618: The power distributed by some of South Carolina 's electric cooperatives. Following the Nukegate scandal , the South Carolina General Assembly debated whether to privatize or reform Santee Cooper, ultimately passing a reform bill that overhauled the regulation and oversight of the state-owned utility. A board of directors appointed by the governor and approved by the state Senate governs Santee Cooper. A board member represents each congressional district and each of
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#1732790817545638-644: The purview of the South Carolina Public Service Commission , the regulatory agency that oversees public utilities in the state. This oversight includes integrated resource planning , service territory changes, facility siting and acquisition, purchase power agreements, and competitive procurement of renewable resources. Rates will continue to be set by the Santee Cooper Board of Directors but are subject to increased scrutiny. The reform will oust all but one of
667-614: The ten members of the Board of Directors by 2025. It reduces the elected term of a Board Member to four years and places a three-term limit, as well as restrictions on severance packages for exiting members. The board selection process remains the same. The Santee Cooper Power and Navigation Project, constructed in 1939, improved navigation on and provided hydroelectric power from the Santee and Cooper rivers in South Carolina . With
696-494: The three counties where Santee Cooper serves retail customers directly; two board member have previous electric cooperative experience; and the chairman is appointed at-large. In September 2017, then-CEO Lonnie Carter announced his retirement following the decision to abandon construction of two new AP1000 nuclear reactors at the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station , leaving Santee Cooper with debts of about $ 4.4 billion for
725-537: The vote, the best performance for a Democrat since Jimmy Carter in 1976 . In 2022, the GDP of Berkeley County was $ 10.6 billion (approx. $ 46,147 per capita). In chained 2017 dollars , its real GDP was $ 9 billion (about $ 39,335 per capita). From 2022 through 2024, its unemployment rate has fluctuated around 3%. As of April 2024 , some of the largest employers in the county include Blackbaud , Booz Allen Hamilton , Nucor , Publix , Volvo , and Walmart . All of
754-418: Was $ 44,242. Males had a median income of $ 31,583 versus $ 22,420 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 16,879. About 9.70% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line , including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over. County government (as of 2023): Berkeley County Council: Other Elected Officials: In 2020 , Joe Biden received 43.3% of
783-438: Was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 34.5 years. The median household income was $ 50,777 and the median family income was $ 56,869. Males had a median income of $ 40,534 versus $ 30,997 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 22,865. About 9.9% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over. At
812-402: Was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.15. The age distribution was 28.00% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.90% 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.20 males. The median household income was $ 39,908 and the median family income
841-490: Was moved in 1895 to Moncks Corner. Berkeley is also known for Revolutionary War connections. The Old Berkeley County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,233.88 square miles (3,195.7 km ), of which 1,103.62 square miles (2,858.4 km ) is land and 130.26 square miles (337.4 km ), or 10.56%,
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