Image by Flickr user urbanarchæology Image by 20090417-coal.jpg Coal: Santee Cooper says that they don't like it, but it's the only viable option.

Responding to ongoing criticism of a proposed coal power plant near Florence, Santee Cooper's leaders told The Post and Courier that they weren't loving the idea either, but that it's the most realistic solution.

Read more stories on this subject in our Santee-Cooper topic page.Go check out what they had to say over at The Post and Courier.

I haven't seen any official response by opposition groups, but I suspect the criticism is that not only are environmental groups unhappy that it's coal, but they want Santee Cooper to do more to filter carbon dioxide and mercury out of the plants emissions.

If you missed it, S.C. DHEC was recently sued for giving the state-owned utility an air pollution permit called "too toxic."