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Study: Offshore gas production would create 2,250 jobs

September 17, 2009 By

A new study indicates that natural gas production off the shores of South Carolina would create more than 2200 jobs for the state, and could lower energy costs for Upstate manufacturers.

According to the study by the Southeast Energy Alliance, offshore energy production in South Carolina would generate $45 billion in federal, state and local government revenues, as well as $413 million in gross domestic product.

Low-country congressman Henry Brown says energy industry guru T. Boone Pickens led the way for the study. Brown says South Carolina could receive a $250 million annual royalty if granted a revenue-sharing program currently afforded to Gulf Coast states.

The Republican Representative says it’s time for energy independence.  “We’re importing 70 percent of our energy needs from off shore now, and some of those countries don’t like us.  Our balance is now are some 300 to 400 billion dollars a year.  But we’ve got a tremendous supply right off the coast.”  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Environment & Conservation, News

GA gov: development of Jasper port will make all local ports stronger

September 17, 2009 By

At first the proposed development of a port in Jasper County caught the attention of both Georgia port officials as well as port officials in Charleston.  Add to that tension the loss of much of the Charleston port’s business from the Maersk shipping line. Now, even the Peach State’s Chief Executive has developed a new outlook on the situation, thanks to an agreement between the two states called the Jasper Joint Partnership.

Georgia’s Governor says the development of the Jasper Port will make all of our regional ports stronger. At the Georgia Ports Authority’s Annual State of the Port Luncheon, Governor Sonny Perdue said that although it seems like a win for Savannah alone that Maersk chose to move much of their container business out of Charleston, and that it remains a priority to deepen the Savannah Harbor, when one port gets stronger, they all get stronger.

“There’s enough room for all of us in this market,” said Perdue.  And our goal through the Jasper Joint Partnership with South Carolina is to have three successful ports in this region.  Because geographically, geo-politically, globally, commercially, they’re going to be needed, and I’m looking foward to the success of Charleston, Jasper and Savannah.”  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, News

Graham opposes President’s pulling back on missile defense

September 17, 2009 By

US Senator Lindsey Graham is displeased about the Obama Administration’s shelving plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe.

“President Obama’s decision to abandon the missile defense shield is a strategic mistake,” said Graham. “The missile defense program is directed at dealing with a rogue missile attack from the Middle East, particularly Iran. A rogue missile attack into Europe puts American service men and women, and our European allies, at risk. Scrapping this program makes it easier for extremists in the Middle East to hold portions of the world hostage.”

“President Obama’s decision also emboldens Russia and will scare the crap out of our Polish and Czech Republic allies,” the Republican senator said. 

In a press release today, Graham went on to say, “They may try to call this hitting the reset button on our relationship with Russia. It looks more like retreat. The Russians will take our actions not as a sign of goodwill, but weakness.  No matter how much the President and others try to sell this, Moscow sees our decision as a cave-in and our eastern European allies see it as a sell-out.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Politics & Government

NRC to report on missing Westinghouse uranium

September 17, 2009 By

A report of missing uranium pellets at the Westinghouse Plant in South Carolina prompted an investigation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. On Thursday, October 1, the NRC will present its findings at public meeting in Columbia.

Westinghouse reported to the NRC in May that it could not account for a small container of scrap low-enriched uranium pellets in one of its process areas. Westinghouse identified that the container was missing during a site audit.

“Based on the information available, the NRC did not find any indications that the material was removed from the site,” says NRC Region II Administrator Luis Reyes. “However, the lapse in control and accountability for the material is something we take very seriously. Because of the low level of enrichment as well as the physical and chemical attributes of the pellets, the material would not pose a significant risk to people or the environment.”

The final inspection report will be available online in about 30 days in the NRC’s Agency-wide Document Access and Management System.

Filed Under: News

Carnival to offer regular cruises in Charleston

September 17, 2009 By

For the first time in South Carolina, a major cruise line will offer regular cruises from the Port of Charleston. Byron Miller with the State Ports Authority says Carnival Cruise Lines is the first line to offer this year-long schedule for the port.

“This is great new business for the port, for the tourism industry, for local hospitality businesses, and many others. We’re gonna have a ship every five, six, to seven days for the next year. So, you’re talking 60 to 70 annual cruise calls from a home-ported vessel right here in the Port of Charleston,” says Miller.

Miller says the cruises will not only help the local economy, but all of South Carolina will see an economical impact.

“This is great news at a time when we really need it for the economy. Every ship that comes in brings in jobs and business, not only for the local Charleston area, but think these travelers come in from all over the region, a lot of them by car. That gives them an opportunity to see South Carolina, to find out the many beauties and treasures we have here, and hopefully return,” says Miller. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, News, Recreation & Entertainment, Transportation
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