Sanford’s Numbers Under Fire

One of S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s most influential political appointments is distancing himself from energy projections cited by Sanford in his recently-announced opposition to the construction of a new coal plant in the rural Pee Dee region of South Carolina.

O.L. Thompson, who is Sanford’s top appointment to the S.C. Public Service Authority, said that he had “tremendous respect” for the governor, but added “we think the numbers he’s using are wrong.”

Sanford cited an 8% decrease in energy consumption over the last few months as evidence that there was no need for additional “base load” power, numbers which Thompson and officials at several other energy providers are disputing.

Thompson also said that the governor talked about providing a “bridge” to the use of nuclear power in South Carolina, but “did not give us a way.”

“I respect the governor’s opinion, but we have to furnish electricity,” Thompson told FITS during a break in a DHEC hearing about the facility. “Our problem is we haven’t come up with another answer.”

We’ll have additional reports later today as DHEC makes its decision about the plant …

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