The push to diversify tax base

Richard Blackwell of the Oconee Economic Alliance agreed with Ryan Honea of the Oconee Planning Commission that it’s of great importance for the county to push job creation. They agreed last night that the push to attract new jobs to the county is especially important to diversify the tax base—especially if Duke Energy eventually phases out its power-generation projects in the county. The utility is about to file with the federal government to extend the license of its Keowee-Toxaway hydro electric project and it already has received an extension of its license to operate the Oconee Nuclear Station. But Blackwell conceded last night it’s possible Duke might not seek a second extension once the Oconee plant’s license runs out in 2032—18 years from now.