Clean Power Plan, State at a Glance: South Carolina Page: 1 of 2
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Clean Power Plan: State at a Glance
South Carolina
In the final Clean Power Plan (CPP), EPA is establishing interim and final carbon dioxide emission performance rates for the two
types of electric generating units - steam electric and natural gas fired power plants - under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.
The CPP also establishes state-specific interim and final goals for each state, based on these limits and each state's mix of power
plants. The goals are expressed in two ways-rate-based and mass-based- either of which can be used by the state in its plan.
States that choose a mass-based goal must assure that carbon pollution reductions from existing units achieved under the Clean
Power Plan do not lead to increases in emissions from new sources. EPA is offering an option to simplify this requirement for
states developing plans to achieve mass-based goals. If a state chooses this route, its state planning requirements are
streamlined, avoiding the need to meet additional plan requirements and include additional elements.
EPA has a "goal visualizer" tool on the web at www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplantoolbox that walks through the exact calculations for
South Carolina.
South Carolina's Interim (2022-2029) and Final Goals (2030)
SOUTH CAROLINA
CO2 Rate (lbs/Net MWh) CO2 Emissions (short tons)
2012 Historic 1 1,791 35,893,265
2020 Projections (without CPP) 1,202 32,534,982
Mass-based Goal (annual
average CO2 emissions in Mass Goal (Existing) & New
Rate-based Goal short tons) Source Complement
Interim Period 2022-2029 1,338 28,969,623 29,314,508
Interim Step 1 Period 2022-2024 2 1,449 31,025,518 31,167,043
Interim Step 2 Period 2025-2027 3 1,309 28,336,836 28,814,276
Interim Step 3 Period 2028-2029 4 1,213 26,834,962 27,286,053
Final Goal 2030 and Beyond 1,156 25,998,968 26,303,255
1. EPA made some targeted baseline adjustments at the state level to address commenter concerns about the representativeness of baseline-year data.
These are highlighted in the CO2 Emission Performance Rate and Goal Computation TSD.
2, 3, 4. Note that states may elect to set their own milestones for Interim Step Periods 1, 2, and 3 as long as they meet the interim and final goals articulated
in the emission guidelines. In its state plan, the state must define its interim step milestones and demonstrate how it will achieve these milestones, as well as
the interim goal and final goal. See section VIII.B of the final rule preamble for more information.
The final Clean Power Plan goals for South Carolina look different from the proposed goals - the 2030 goal looks less stringent,
and the interim goal looks less stringent.
States' goals fall in a narrower band, reflecting a more consistent approach among sources and states.
At final, all state goals fall in a range between 771 pounds per megawatt-hour (states that have only natural gas plants) to 1,305
pounds per megawatt-hour (states that only have coal/oil plants). A state's goal is based on how many of each of the two types
of plants are in the state.
The goals are much closer together than at proposal. Compared to proposal, the highest (least stringent) goals got tighter, and
the lowest (most stringent) goals got looser.
o South Carolina's 2030 goal is 1,156 pounds per megawatt-hour. That's in the middle of this range, meaning South Carolina
has one of the moderate state goals, compared to other state goals in the final Clean Power Plan.
o South Carolina's step 1 interim goal of 1,449 pounds per megawatt-hour reflects changes EPA made to provide a smoother
glide path and less of a "cliff" at the beginning of the program.
The final BSER does not include existing or under-construction nuclear power, which had pushed the proposed goal lower for
South Carolina.
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United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Clean Power Plan, State at a Glance: South Carolina, text, August 3, 2015; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc948793/m1/1/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.