Climate Change Data

South Carolina Public Service Authority

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:14,093,172 tCO2e/year
Renewable Energy Share:2.36% (2023)
Water Consumption:432,750 m3/year
Waste Generated:1,098,636 tons/year (estimated)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Environmental Responsibility
  • Community Engagement
  • Grid Resilience
  • Affordable Power
  • Operational Excellence

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced reliance on coal by roughly 65% between 2023 and 2040.
  • More than doubled the use of sustainable resources while meeting growing energy demands.
  • Reducing Santee Cooper’s carbon emissions rate by over 50% from 2005 levels by 2040.

Social Achievements

  • Santee Cooper team members completed 25,845 community service hours in 2023.
  • Received the 2023 Lower Region Group Leadership Award for partnership with Keep Conway Beautiful.
  • Donated 506 units of blood in 2023 through blood drives.

Governance Achievements

  • Achieved a new 50-year license for the continued operation of the Santee Cooper Hydroelectric Project.
  • Created an Operational Excellence business unit focused on optimizing workflows and processes.
  • Developed a Corporate Balanced Scorecard to achieve strategic goals.

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Reduce coal reliance by 65% between 2023 and 2040.
Medium-term Goals:
  • Reduce CO2 rates to approximately 44% of 2005 levels by the mid-2030s.
Short-term Goals:
  • Procuring additional solar over the next three years.

Environmental Challenges

  • Meeting the growing energy demands of South Carolina while reducing reliance on coal and increasing sustainable resources.
  • Ensuring affordable power for residential customers.
  • Improving grid resilience against extreme weather events.
Mitigation Strategies
  • Implemented an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with a focus on flexibility, reliability, and affordability.
  • Offered various programs to assist customers struggling to pay their bills.
  • Administered grant funding for grid enhancement projects through the Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant Program.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • 46.1% of spending on local suppliers (2023)

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Opportunities
  • Increased use of renewable energy sources

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB

Third-party Assurance: No External Auditing Performed

Awards & Recognition

  • 2023 Lower Region Group Leadership Award