SCE&G to conduct maintenance work on Saluda Hydroelectric Plant

COLUMBIA, SC – September 7, 2007 – SCE&G will conduct maintenance on Unit 2 of the Saluda Hydroelectric Plant Sept. 9 through Sept. 12 to improve aeration of the unit. The objective is to increase dissolved oxygen levels for the Saluda River downstream from the dam, improving water quality.

While Unit 2 is out of service, SCE&G is required per a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge water from the other hydro units to mitigate the effects of thermal discharges from the nearby McMeekin Plant. These required Saluda Plant discharges may impact the level of Lake Murray by as much as four-to-five inches.

Following completion of this maintenance work, SCE&G must conduct dissolved oxygen testing as part of the Saluda Hydro relicensing process. The testing must be done while dissolved oxygen levels are typically low, which usually occurs in early fall. “The testing will take place the week of September 24 and will last about four or five days,” said Jim Landreth, vice president of Fossil and Hydro Operations for SCE&G. “The process will require the operation of all five units while we test Units 2, 3 and 5. This testing could impact lake levels by as much as four inches.

“As always, our goal for maintenance work and environmental testing associated with the Saluda Hydro Plant is to have as little impact as possible on our neighbors above and below the dam and to provide as much advance notice as possible,” said Landreth.

SCE&G provides information on current and planned releases from the Saluda Plant on its Web site, www.sceg.com.  The page, listed under the “My Community” link, provides, as nearly as possible, real-time flow conditions on the river as well as links to helpful resources from the U.S. Geological Survey, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and American Whitewater.