Today's Quote
"We're the Saudi Arabia of coal, and we have to use it."
-Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), speaking at the Governor's Conference on Energy, challenging federal policies and new EPA rules.
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e-blast is a weekly
electronic newsletter created to help provide key cooperative leaders
with the latest work of your state association, news from our member
electric cooperatives and progress on issues important to us all.
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S.C. joins lawsuit to delay EPA action
 | S.C. Attorney General
Alan Wilson |
South Carolina has joined 24 states attempting to delay enforcement of new federal regulations of coal-fired power plants. A suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia asks the court to delay Environmental Protection Agency rules by one year. The EPA is under a November 16 court-ordered deadline to enact the new air rules.
The EPA says the tougher standards will reduce emissions of mercury, arsenic, other heavy metals and acid gases by 91 percent.
States--and eleven governors---have come out against the rule, saying it will carry high costs with limited returns. "The new regulations the EPA is seeking to implement would have a dramatic, negative impact on our state," said Mark Plowden, spokesman for S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson. "South Carolina needs jobs, not stifling new layers of regulations."
Related Stories:S.C. joins 24 states in lawsuit against EPA rulesGOP governors want emissions proposal withdrawn
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Marlboro offers reward to stop
copper theft | | Copper thieves struck a Marlboro substation on the same day the co-op announced a reward fund. |
Marlboro Electric Cooperative officials were already planning to announce a substantial reward fund for information on copper thefts last Thursday when it happened again: a co-op substation was hit by a thief who took 100 feet of copper. Copper prices have gone up 500 percent and thick copper sells for more, making utility substations a popular target. Marlboro Electric has been hit by copper theft multiple times, leaving the co-op and its member to pay for expensive repairs. In an effort to stem thefts, the co-op's board voted to work with the sheriff's department to offer rewards for information. Cutting copper lines from utility units can cause electric shock and is dangerous not just for the thief but also for co-op crews. "We are tired of being a victim of copper theft, and we have decided to take leadership in resolving this problem for our members and for our community," said Marlboro President and CEO Bill Fleming. Related Story:
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Lynches River chair fends off challenger
 | | Chairman Scott Croxton presents a plaque to Julieth Freeman, widow of late trustee Jimmy C. Freeman, recognizing his service to co-op members from 1996 to 2011. |
Lynches River Electric Cooperative registered 1,671 members in attendance at its annual meeting October 15.
Members re-elected unopposed incumbent Myrtle L. Faile to the District 2 seat on the board or trustees. In District 4, petition candidate Charles M. (Mike) Crawford outpolled incumbent Donald E. Sellers; Sellers had been appointed to complete the term of the late Jimmy C. Freeman. In District 5, Chairman Scott Croxton defeated petition candidate Donald (Donnie) E. Horton.
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S.C. schools celebrate green power
 | | New Ellenton students with Aiken County Public Schools Superintendent Beth Everitt, Aiken Electric Vice President Bill Inman, Santee Cooper Senior Vice President Marc Tye and science teacher Mary Johnson. |
Across the state, middle schools are planting trees to mark the tenth anniversary of Santee Cooper's Green Power. Nineteen middle schools participate in the Green Power Solar Schools program, which provides each school with a solar panel, monitoring technology and a science curriculum that meets state standards.
New Ellenton Middle School students celebrated Green Power last week by planting a tree on campus. The Aiken County middle school was the second Green Power Solar School in South Carolina. Four years ago, Aiken Electric Cooperative, Santee Cooper and the Aiken County School district dedicated a 10 by 12 foot solar panel on the school grounds.
Other schools marking the anniversary have included Sangaree Middle School in Ladson, Carvers Bay Middle School in Georgetown County and Hilton Head Island Middle School.
Related Stories:
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