| TO: |
South Carolina Legislature |
| FROM: |
Barnwell County Council, Barnwell City Council, Snelling Town Council, Williston Town Council, Barnwell County Economic Development Commission,
Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance (Hampton, Bamberg, Barnwell and Allendale Counties) |
| DATE: |
February 14, 2007 |
On behalf of the citizens of Barnwell County, we urge you to support the bill to allow our low-level nuclear waste facility to remain open to out-of-compact states. This is a reasonable and environmentally sound bill that would limit the amount of low-level material that could be disposed of on-site for a 15-year period.
Those of us who live and work near the facility are among its most passionate supporters because we trust the management and have confidence that it is a safe operation that performs a vital public service.
There have been no environmental releases or radiation exposures above regulatory limits to the public from operations. No notices of violation or items of noncompliance have been issued since 1983. Radiation exposures to Barnwell employees are well below the annual limit for occupational workers.
Moreover, our taxpayers and schools benefit from the economic stimulus this facility provides. Everyone will lose if you do not adopt this legislation.
- The Barnwell facility is responsible for more than $430 million that went into the state’s Education Endowment Fund since 1995. If the current law stands, the state will get nothing more. That would be a disservice to the taxpayers, parents, teachers and students.
- The funds received by Barnwell County and our schools would be cut severely, creating a budgetary and economic crisis for us.
- If the site is not economically viable, the state’s extended long-term care fund will have to be used. In addition, rates for generators would have to be increased to make up the shortfall and surcharges might be imposed on compact generators. The increased costs and surcharges on South Carolina generators are borne by South Carolina electric customers.
The bill does not seek a larger footprint for the site. It does not create more capacity. It simply allows Barnwell to be economically viable while continuing to service the nuclear industry.
The critics offer misleading and often wrong information. We believe they are using Barnwell to oppose all nuclear power, which is the cheapest, cleanest and safest source of electricity. Ours is a voice of reason backed by experience. We would not support an enterprise that, in any way, jeopardized our families.
We respectfully request your support. Thank you.
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