Outgoing Dominion Energy SC executive leaves powerful legacy

It may seem odd for a man who spent the past 21 years overseeing power plants to stay in a cabin off the grid. But that’s how Jim Landreth, who stepped down Feb. 1 from his longtime role as vice president of power generation for Dominion Energy South Carolina, spends many of his weekends.

Landreth and his wife, Judy, own a pine tree farm in Newberry County that is surrounded by forest land. The farm’s small cabin operates entirely off a solar-powered system.

“It was nearly impossible and financially too expensive to get electric service run in there,” Landreth said. “I got comfortable with solar technology, and so instead of putting a noisy generator out there, we installed a solar package with battery storage.”

The cabin illustrates Landreth’s willingness to adapt and use non-traditional methods to overcome potential challenges. It’s an attitude he brought to his job since arriving at the company in February 2000. His focus helped the company significantly reduce its South Carolina generation plants’ environmental footprint, slashing carbon emissions by nearly half and sulfur dioxide emissions by 99% in the past 12 years.

Now, as the company continues with transitions since the 2019 merger, Landreth has decided it’s time for his own transition into retirement. He has moved into an advisory position to help his successor, Iris Griffin, settle into the new role. His final day with the company will be April 1.

Landreth was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to a military family. He spent his childhood living across the United States and Europe before returning to North Carolina for his high school years. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University and James Madison University.

He began his career at a UniRoyal tire plant in Virginia, where he worked his way up to plant manager. He then held similar jobs at other UniRoyal plants in Georgia and South Carolina before eventually directing all North American textile operations at Michelin.

After 25 years in the tire business, Landreth joined Dominion Energy South Carolina’s predecessor, SCE&G, in 2000. His responsibilities included overseeing the company’s coal, natural gas and hydroelectric facilities and the management of its power generating lakes.

Just two years into his tenure, the company began building a backup dam along Lake Murray – a $275 million project that became the largest active American dam construction project at the time. The project received the 2006 American Society of Civil Engineers OPAL Award (Outstanding Projects and Leaders) and the Award of Excellence from the United States Society of Dams.

“When it was evaluated by industry experts in the civil engineering fields, it won the most prestigious awards you can get for a project of that kind,” he said.

Landreth also oversaw the construction of the Jasper Generating Station and the conversion of multiple coal plants into natural gas combined-cycle facilities, which helped lower the company’s environmental impact and reduced operating costs. He also played a critical role in SCE&G’s settlement to remove millions of tons of coal combustion residuals (also known as coal ash) from wet storage at its plants. Removal work at the Wateree Station received media attention after it was completed more than a year ahead of schedule.

But he’s most proud of his teammates, employees who have consistently adapted in a dynamic, changing industry. Landreth noted their improved efficiency over the years — a department that once numbered more than 900 employees now operates with slightly above 500 – while increasing the generation capacity and improving the plants’ reliability.

Landreth said he and his wife plan to enjoy retirement. In addition to more time at their farm, the couple hope to travel again once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, visiting their children along with other family and friends in areas where they once lived. Landreth said he plans to spend more time on his hobbies – restoring British sports cars, doing carpentry and golfing.