MONCKS CORNER — This summer, Santee Cooper provided hands-on experience in critical fields of the energy industry such as power generation and the development and use of renewable energy to a Union County educator as part of the 26th annual Energy Educators Institute series at the Wampee Conference Center in Pinopolis, S.C.

“This entire course has been a wonderful eye-opener for me,” said Ralph Lawson, a teacher at Union County High School. “I think it is very important that students know where energy comes from and what goes into providing it. This program has given me some great lessons to teach them the importance of conservation and safety.”

More than 100 educators from across the state participated in this graduate level course, receiving planning materials and gaining knowledge about the production of electricity and the opportunities and challenges of renewable energy. This was illustrated through field experiences and tours of Santee Cooper facilities. Santee Cooper held three institutes this summer.

Each of the four-day institutes included trips to Santee Cooper’s Jefferies Generating Station, the Old Santee Canal Park and industrial customer Alcoa-Mt. Holly, hands-on learning activities and unit planning sessions. Santee Cooper experts addressed topics such as energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, environmental resources, power generation, transmission, distribution, electrical safety, water quality and utility economics.

“The Energy Educators Institute provides engaging standards-based lesson plans in an environment that promotes networking and problem-solving with fellow educators,” said Barbara Allen, Santee Cooper’s director of educational programs. “Not only do they learn from the curriculum that Santee Cooper offers, but they learn from each other.”

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, and the state’s largest power producer. The ultimate source of electricity for 2 million South Carolinians, Santee Cooper is dedicated to being the state’s leading resource for improving the quality of life for the people of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.santeecooper.com.