South Carolina’s chances of winning a U.S. Supreme Court battle with North
Carolina could be crippled if the Legislature does not approve more than $2
million to fight the potentially precedent-setting case, according to Attorney
General Henry McMaster’s office.
McMaster’s office needs the $2.3
million it requested in next year’s budget to pay legal fees for the Catawba
River case, including bills for the Kellog-Huber law firm of Washington, D.C.
said McMaster spokesman Mark Plowden.. The firm has expertise in water rights
law. The state also needs money for expert witnesses in the case.
The
Legislature approved $1.2 million last year for the water rights battle. The
legal dispute centers on whether North Carolina can permanently withdraw water
from the Catawba River without South Carolina’s approval. It’s an important
legal question because both Carolinas rely on the 225-mile waterway for drinking
water, electricity and jobs
Continue reading "S.C. may not have money to fight N.C. over water" »
Gov. Mark Sanford today likened the enormity of solving the problem of global warming to solving the nation's financial crisis.
Sanford, in accepting a report from a panel he formed to come up with solutions, said the time to act is now.
"Doing nothing is not an option," Sanford said.
Last year, Sanford formed the Climate, Energy and Commerce Advisory Committee. Monday, the group presented the governor its final report, which includes 51 policy changes.
Continue reading "Sanford: Time to act on climate change is now" »
House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., today called for more African American involvement in the climate change debate because, Clyburn said, global warming disproportionately impacts minorities.
Clyburn endorsed the establishment of the Commission to Engage African Americans on Climate Change (CEAC).
Continue reading "Clyburn: Global warming hits minorities hardest " »
The S.C. Conservation League said it made gains during the primaries toward electing what it calls a bi-partisan conservation majority.
The Conservation League endorsed 12 Senate candidates and eight of those candidates won. The group endorsed 18 House members and 12 of those House members won.
Continue reading "Conservation group makes gains" »
Gov. Mark Sanford has vetoed a bill that could make it easier to develop environmentally sensitive areas before permits have been cleared for the work.
The House narrowly sustained Sanford’s veto Thursday, but is expected to reconsider the decision next week, conservationists said. The bill gives environmental groups and developers less time to prepare for certain hearings that could allow development while permit disputes are fought in administrative court.
Continue reading "Development bill vetoed by governor" »
Businesses have scored a legislative victory that could make it easier to develop construction projects without waiting for a final decision on state environmental permits.
The House approved a measure Thursday giving environmentalists, citizens groups and developers three days to prepare for hearings on whether projects can be built before administrative courts resolve permit disputes.
Continue reading "Environmentalists decry business bill " »