2010 Common Agenda

Protecting Our Water
Clean, abundant water is good for the environment and good for business. Power plants, jobs, drinking water, recreation, fisheries and tourism depend on available water – but right now, there is no limit on the amount of water that is taken from our rivers. Permitting how much water can be taken is the first step for comprehensive planning and long-term water management in South Carolina. S.452 and the companion H.4285 would protect existing water users and maintain seasonal flows in our rivers.

This year, both the Senate and House need to give water withdrawal permitting their utmost attention and make two improvements to protect future water supplies. First, grandfathered water users should apply for permits after 25 years so the Departments of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) and Natural Resources (DNR) can consider changes to environmental conditions or anticipated amounts of water used by the permittees. Second, the loophole that exempts industries and power plants from needing permits should be closed even though most of the water they use is returned to the source. Doing so will ensure that the largest water users in the state are included in the permitting system.
Two additional bills would keep rivers clean from sewage spills and malfunctioning wastewater plants. The Water Utility Notification bill (H.3603) awaits consideration in the Senate and requires that the public be informed by radio, television, newspaper, websites, and other news sources within 12 hours of a 1,000 gallon spill from any wastewater plant. A new “Three Strikes” bill would allow DHEC to crack down on any wastewater treatment utility that has three major spills within one year.

Funding the Natural Resource Agencies that Fuel our Economy
Forestry, agriculture, outdoor recreation and tourism are South Carolina’s top economic drivers. Public and private officials estimate that these sectors contribute $50 BILLION and over a quarter million jobs annually. Our natural resource agencies deliver a significant economic return on a relatively small investment of public dollars, yet their combined funding comprises less than 1% of the state budget. Recent cuts threaten their core operations and ability to protect South Carolina’s most important natural assets. For example:
• DNR’s budget was reduced by 41% last year, 75 conservation officer positions have been cut since 2000, and reduced water quality monitoring has put our rivers, lakes, and marine fisheries at risk.
• The Department of Agriculture’s budget was cut 35%, including reduced laboratory and consumer services for inspecting fuel pumps and testing foods, feeds and seeds.
• The Forestry Commission’s budget was reduced over 33% and approximately 40 positions are unfilled. The firefighting equipment budget is depleted, placing property and lives at risk in the event of wildfires.
• Park Recreation and Tourism’s budget was reduced by 49% and 89 jobs are vacant - 18% of the workforce.

We should invest in our state by increasing funding for our natural resource agencies. It is also important to defend funding for DHEC’s Environmental Quality Control programs and the Office of Ocean & Coastal Resources Management. EQC has already lost 78 positions and the new round of cuts would reduce staffing at OCRM by 28%.

Keeping the Conservation Bank Alive
The South Carolina Conservation Bank is the most important source of funding for land conservation in South Carolina. It is also the most threatened because of a “death clause” that eliminates the Bank’s entire funding if at least half of the state’s agencies receive less funding than the previous year or if the Budget & Control Board makes across-the-board cuts.

Last year, the economic downturn almost halved the bank’s income stream, which comes from a small portion of every real estate transaction. Furthermore, the “death clause” was triggered because of agency cuts, so all funding for the Bank was diverted. Finally as the session was about to end, the legislature allocated $2.2 million for the Conservation Bank, which is about 25% of what it would have received from real estate fees. This was the largest reduction of funding for any agency in the state.

Since 2004 the Conservation Bank has leveraged public and private dollars and voluntary conservation easements to protect over 150,000 acres of South Carolina’s working farms and forests and parklands at the bargain price of $534 per acre. The Bank now has a proven track record. Protecting such places as Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel and the Morris Island lighthouse is not a luxury; it is an investment in our children’s future.

Conserving working farms, forests and wildlife habitat at discount prices provides real value to both our economy and our quality of life. The General Assembly needs to demonstrate that conservation is a top-tier priority by removing the Bank’s “death penalty” and keeping future budget cuts in line with other state agencies.

Standing Up for Public Health
The Department of Health & Environmental Control is charged with protecting the health of the public and the environment, but too often its decisions permit excessive pollution. DHEC needs new leadership and a clear mission to stand up for clean air and clean water. The head of the agency is accountable only to the DHEC Board, but the Board has been weakened because it no longer has direct oversight over the agency’s permit decisions. In addition, the need to seek the General Assembly’s approval for new regulations has led to inappropriate legislative interference. We believe that reforms are needed to make the agency more accountable to the public and to improve oversight of agency operations and decisions.

Reducing Mercury Pollution
DHEC’s recently released Mercury Reduction Strategy (available at www.scdhec.gov) reports that tissue samples from South Carolina fish have some of the highest mercury concentrations in the nation. The type of mercury found in our rivers and lakes is extremely poisonous. Eating mercury contaminated fish is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women. Mercury exposure has been linked to brain and central nervous system disorders, including autism and Alzheimer’s.

DHEC’s report describes the problem but fails to offer real solutions for reducing mercury pollution and for protecting South Carolinians from exposure to this dangerous pollutant. As an interim step, DHEC needs to test humans for mercury poisoning. State-wide mercury advisories should be considered for suspected freshwater species such as largemouth bass, as has been done in North Carolina.

Ultimately, the only way to reduce mercury exposure is to reduce mercury pollution. South Carolina must make a serious commitment to reduce mercury releases from known sources and adopt strict standards for the largest producers of airborne mercury releases - coal-fired power plants.

Re-energizing South Carolina
The time has come for America to become energy independent and South Carolina can lead the way. Our state has tremendous renewable energy potential, including offshore wind, biomass and solar. With the right combination of market incentives and state and federal policies, we can spur research and investments in these homegrown energy resources. Thanks to General Electric’s wind turbine plant in Greenville and the Charleston port, we can lead the world in the manufacture and distribution of wind turbines.

Energy conservation offers even greater job and investment potential. A recent report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) demonstrates that by investing in energy and water efficiency, South Carolina can cut electricity and water bills by $9 million annually starting in 2015 and by $1.3 billion in 2025. If implemented, ACEEE’s recommendations could create 21,000 new jobs and reduce electricity and water bills an average of $380 per household.

South Carolinians have the determination and the skills to create the clean energy economy of tomorrow. Developing a comprehensive state energy policy that focuses on efficiency and alternative energy will create jobs, reduce pollution and enhance our nation’s security.