"COLUMBIA, S.C. -- State-owned utility Santee Cooper decided Monday to drop plans for a controversial coal-fired power plant in South Carolina, a move lauded by environmental groups that had criticized the facility.

The vote by the utility's board seemingly put to rest a battle pitting Santee Cooper against environmentalists and residents who had expressed concerns the plant would harm surrounding waters and wetlands, as well as the people living near the massive facility."

Meg Kinnard reports for the Associated Press August 24, 2009. [2]