General

The Purpose and Need Statement of an EIS describes the underlying need to be met and the other factors relevant to the choice between alternatives.

The Purpose and Need Statement helps define a range and analysis of reasonable alternatives to be considered in an environmental document, in this case, an EIS.

It is likely that the Purpose and Need Statement will evolve through the course of the project, as more is learned about the project.

The Project Team has developed a preliminary Purpose and Need Statement for the project.  This Purpose and Need Statement may be further refined as the study progresses.

Purpose:

The purpose of the proposed project is to provide a reliable and cost effective means to satisfy the projected demand for electrical generation capacity for Santee Cooper's projected residential, commercial, and industrial customers by the year 2012.

Primary Needs

• Electrical Generation
• 370 MW shortfall expected by 2012
• 525 MW shortfall expected by 2013
• 680 MW shortfall expected by 2014
• 835 MW shortfall expected by 2015
• Economic Sustainability

Secondary Needs

• Fulfill Obligation to Customers
• Minimize Transmission Loss