The bill would limit the annual disposal amount to 40,000 cubic feet.

The bill is cosponsored by Representative Lonnie Hosey and others. The facility is in Representative Hosey's district. "If we do not sustain the facility's economic viability, Barnwell County and Barnwell schools will be thrown into an economic crisis. The facility is safe, we need it for jobs and economic growth, and it ought to be allowed to continue current operations," Hosey said.

Current law would leave the facility open to only the Atlantic Compact states of Connecticut and New Jersey, and to South Carolina generators beginning July, 2008.

"This facility is safe," Witherspoon said. "There have been no environmental exposures above regulatory limits. DHEC recently renewed the operating license and a judge affirmed DHEC's decision. If state regulators say it's safe, if the court affirms their decision, and if Barnwell County residents support it, then we ought to let the site continue to operate at a sustainable level."

Witherspoon continued: "I am persuaded that the Barnwell site cannot continue to be economically viable with the limitations imposed by current law," Witherspoon said. "Our bill places reasonable limits on the amount of low-level waste the facility can take and we put in a 15-year sunset provision. We believe that is in the best interests of Barnwell County, South Carolina education and the environment."

Witherspoon, noting projections that the site could run $3 million to $4 million in the red annually under the current law, said keeping Barnwell economically viable is critically important. "Dipping into the extended care reserve fund would serve no useful purpose," he said. "Rates for generators would have to be increased to make up the shortfall and surcharges might be imposed on compact generators. Of course, these increased costs would be borne by South Carolina ratepayers. If it gets too expensive to use the site," he continued, "we might see storage sites across the State."

Emerson Gower, southern region vice president for Progress Energy, issued this statement: "We're fortunate to have nuclear generation in South Carolina-now and for the future. Rep. Witherspoon's proposed legislation is a responsible approach to maintaining the delicate balance between environmental protection and the viability of the Barnwell facility. Without an economically viable Barnwell facility, the cost of waste disposal increases, and that's a cost our citizens ultimately pay."

"Duke Energy supports the continued operation of Barnwell as a safe, secure and environmentally sound low-level waste disposal facility," said Bryant Kinney, Duke Energy's vice president for regulatory and government affairs. "Nuclear power plants provide stable, low cost electricity which enhances the economic competitiveness of South Carolina. An important factor in maintaining the state's competitiveness is the future availability of an economically viable Barnwell. Duke Energy believes that maintaining the economic viability of Barnwell is needed to help ensure that electricity costs stay low," he said.

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