In an order issued on December 22, 2011, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the license surrender requested by City of Spartanburg, SC for its Clifton Mills No. 1 Hydroelectric Project located on the Pacolet River in Spartanburg County.

The FERC staff issued a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) today for the 207.3 MW Saluda hydroelectric project on the Saluda River in Lexington, Richland, Newberry, and Saluda counties, South Carolina.

Coalition members American Rivers, American Whitewater, and Coastal Conservation League along with state and federal agencies have reached an agreement for the Saluda hydroelectric project on the Saluda River in South Carolina.

Located just one hour from the Charlotte, NC and Columbia, SC metropolitan areas, the Great Falls of the Catawba River has potential as a whitewater boating hotspot for the area. On October 23 and 24, a flow study conducted by Duke Power and attended by kayakers from throughout the region confirmed that Great Falls holds great promise as a highly coveted recreational boating stretch.

On December 11, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) approved new standards for dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the Saluda River in South Carolina. These standards are supported by environmental groups - including the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League (SCCCL) - that are currently engaged in hydropower relicensing on the Saluda River. These standards await final approval from the DHEC Board, followed by a legislative process that will allow the South Carolina Legislature time to act on the proposed change. Other groups in favor of the standards include American Rivers and the Saluda Scenic River Advisory Council.

Located near Columbia, the Saluda River project in South Carolina includes the 48,000 acre Lake Murray and affects 10 miles of the Saluda River and 50 miles of the downstream Congaree River.