Fees would increase on underground storage tanks

A bill that would increase the fees paid on underground petroleum storage tanks to $500 from $100 has stalled in the House.

Gas station owners and distributors want the fee increase to go into a fund that would help with clean up in the event of a spill.

Federal environmental laws mandate expensive clean-up in the event of a storage tank leak.

Rep. David Hiott, R-Pickens, moved to adjourn debate, expressing concerns about how the bill affected owners of above ground storage tanks.

S.C. may not have money to fight N.C. over water

   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

Sanford: Time to act on climate change is now

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.

Clyburn: Global warming hits minorities hardest

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).

Conservation group makes gains

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.

DeMint: Let states drill for oil

U.S Sen. Jim DeMint wants Congress to end federal restrictions on oil drilling, freeing states to decide whether to open their coastlines to oil exploration.

DeMint, in a statement, said he agrees with President Bush's call to lift the ban on drilling.

S.C. environmentalists and tourism officials have long opposed drilling off the coast of South Carolina out of concern over what an oil spill might mean to sea life and the state's top industry.

But rising fuel prices and the prospect of creating new jobs and revenue for the state has some politicians taking another look at drilling.

Development bill vetoed by governor

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.

Environmentalists decry business bill

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.

House: Tax breaks for energy efficient appliances

In a vote of 109 to 0, the House gave key approval to a bill that would exempt certain energy efficient appliances from the state sales tax.

After one more vote by House lawmakers, the bill heads to the governor's desk.

No contraceptives for deer, under bill

A bill has received key House approval prohibiting the use of fertility control agents to limit the number of deer and other wildlife.

Bill proponents say the bill's purpose is to ensure hunters have enough wildlife to shoot.

Exceptions can be granted by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.