COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina lawmakers have hired a Virginia firm to study the possible sale of the state owned utility Santee Cooper, after the failure of a nuclear project.

The State newspaper reported the decision to hire ICF International of Fairfax, Virginia, came after lawmakers met with the company Wednesday.

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Gov. Henry McMaster has been pushing the sale of the Moncks Corner based utility, which provides electricity for more than 2 million South Carolina residents. McMaster says it’s the only way those customers can avoid paying more for the failure of the project with South Carolina Electric and Gas Co. to build two nuclear reactors in Fairfield County.

That project collapsed last year after lead contractor Westinghouse declared bankruptcy.

ICF expects to have recommendations for state lawmakers by the end of February.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com