Ware Shoals Citizens Oppose Hydroelectric Project Decommissioning

Greenville Spartanburg Asheville Anderson, SC, July 27, 2026 —

Residents of Ware Shoals, South Carolina, are voicing strong opposition to Patriot Hydro’s proposal to decommission the Ware Shoals Hydroelectric Project. The project has been inactive since November 2022, with Patriot Hydro citing economic infeasibility as the primary reason for not returning the dam to operational status.

The company has put forth alternative plans, including the complete removal of the dam or surrendering its operating license back to the state. However, these proposals face significant resistance from the local community and elected officials.

State Representative John McCravy has aligned himself with the citizens, advocating for the restoration of the dam. McCravy has expressed concerns regarding the potential environmental impacts of decommissioning, specifically mentioning upstream erosion and the accumulation of sediment downstream. He stated that these issues pose a threat to the local environment.

In response to Patriot Hydro’s proposed alternatives, Representative McCravy indicated his intention to petition the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). His goal is to formally request that FERC mandate the full restoration of the Ware Shoals Hydroelectric Project, ensuring its operational capacity is reinstated.

The conflict highlights a tension between economic considerations for the project’s operator and the community’s desire to maintain the hydroelectric facility, along with its perceived environmental benefits and local infrastructure role. The future of the Ware Shoals Hydroelectric Project remains uncertain as these opposing viewpoints are presented to regulatory bodies.

Story summarized from the original created by Tyler Scott on www.foxcarolina.com, see more information here.