COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Environmentalists and business leaders
continue to take sides in South Carolina on a state-owned utility's
plan to build a new coal-fired plant in Florence County.

A coalition of environmental groups held a news conference
Wednesday denouncing Santee Cooper's plan to build the $1 billion
600-megawatt facility.

The day before, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the
state Manufacturers Alliance, Pee Dee Supporters for Progress and
the state chapter of the National Federation of Independent
Businesses gave their support to the plant.

In December, the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of
Commerce joined other groups opposing the coal plant.

Santee Cooper has won initial approval from state regulators to
build the plant it says it needs to meet growing electricity
demand.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)