Southeast Renewable Energy Incentives Approved

County council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing an incentive and inducement agreement with Southeast Renewable Energy, which announced in May that it would make a $50 million investment and create 20 jobs. 

Council did not discuss the resolution. 

According to a statement released in May, the company has also entered into an agreement with the county to utilize virgin wood residue, such as tree limbs and woody right-of-way clearings, for a portion of the plant’s biomass fuel source.

“We are excited about the partnership with the county in this win-win opportunity. Utilizing the county’s wood residue is not only sustainable but it will also save them money and create local jobs,” company President and CEO Raine Cotton said in May.

Southeast Renewable Energy will build a 15-megawatt biomass energy plant in Dorchester County that will be fueled using virgin wood residues. The company will sell the green power to Santee Cooper, and the plant is expected to be completed in late 2012.

According to a press release, the company expects the new plant will also create many indirect jobs in the logging, trucking and forest product industries.

The company has previously announced plans for similar plants in Allendale and Kershaw counties. The company has an agreement to sell green power in all cases to Santee Cooper for 30 years. The agreement with the county to use its virgin wood residue for fuel is expected to save Dorchester County about $300,000 each year.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Southeast Renewable to Dorchester County, their investment is yet another in the Charleston region that is making the area a global leader in green energy,” Council Chairman Larry Hargett said in May. “Not only is SRE creating jobs and investing in Dorchester County, but our partnership will save the county money as well.”

The company will begin requesting applications for the positions in early 2012.