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South Carolina Can Be a Leader in Tackling Plastic Waste

Plastics play an important role in helping society reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and ultimately, climate change. They also provide important protection and sterility for medical supplies and equipment, as well as for food and beverage containers.

Increasingly, used plastic can be a valuable resource to preserve rather than waste that needs disposal. Advanced recycling, which breaks plastics down to their molecular building blocks, can complement traditional recycling in the U.S. Traditional methods were designed to predominantly recycle newspapers and bottles, but technological breakthroughs in advanced recycling allow other types of plastic to be recycled as well.

The plastics industry acknowledges that plastic waste in the environment is a global problem, but one that can be solved.

America’s plastic makers are dedicated to ending plastic waste. They are pursuing a mission to end plastic packaging waste by creating more circular systems for the ways in which we use – and reuse – plastics.

South Carolina is uniquely positioned to become a leader in tackling environmental waste through its renowned manufacturing sector. A critical first step would be updating the state’s laws to provide the regulatory framework necessary to encourage investment in new technologies such as advanced recycling. Ultimately, the goal is to help keep post-use plastics out of landfills and out of our environment, turn them into new materials, attract new businesses and support job creation across the state as part of the circular economy.

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Santee Cooper Extends Executive Contracts And Sponsors Golf Tournament Amid Financial Disaster

Featured Image: The State

As debt continues to pile up for Santee Cooper, lawmakers still remain halted at their decision for the future of the state-owned utility company. After lawmakers were forced to take a break earlier this year due to COVID-19, the utility’s fate will linger even longer. 

With the decision to sell still on the table, Santee Cooper in an attempt to continue reform plans is spending more ratepayer money on extending high-paying contracts to executives and on golf tournament sponsorships. 

The company recently announced that they will be extending contracts to Mark Bonsall, the CEO, and Charles Duckworth, the deputy CEO who were both brought on last year after former CEO, Lonnie Carter retired from the company when the utility’s debt began making headlines. Carter left with an initial payout and an annual retirement salary of $800,000 for 20 years, that Santee Cooper customers are still paying for. 

Last year we reported that Bonsall was guaranteed $1.1 million over the next 18 months in addition to bonuses, exceeding Carter’s previous salary of $541,000, while Duckworth made a reported $560,000 annual salary. All of which the utility’s direct serve and electric cooperative customers pay for, and it doesn’t look like it’ll be changing anytime soon. The two will remain with the company until July 2021 and will continue to oversee all political and legal challenges. Bonsall and Duckworth will even have the opportunity to earn bonuses, pending their performance. 

Lawmakers have been debating the future of the company for the past three years since it undertook $4 billion in debt from the failed V.C. Summer project. Because of this, Santee Cooper has been under scrutiny with where they spend their money since the company’s debt is nearly $7 billion, has no Public Service Commission Oversight and its ratepayers are the only ones responsible for past bad financial decisions. Many, therefore, are not happy that the state-owned company decided to sponsor the Heritage Golf Tournament for yet another year. The tournament which was played 2 months later due to the coronavirus pandemic and without fans, was a large investment. This large expenditure is seen as unnecessary by many and has resulted in another level of concern with taxpayers and ratepayers.

As customers are left holding the bill for the interim and Santee Cooper fails to acknowledge the long term burden on them, they also fail to stop spending large sums of money that will only add to the already existing and growing debt. For some, a sale of the public utility “dinosaur” cannot come soon enough.  

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6 Fun Facts About The State Of South Carolina

Did you know all of these facts about South Carolina? If so, you’ve just proven yourself to be a true South Carolinian!

South Carolina is home to the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi!

It is believed that the Angel Oak Tree, located on John’s Island, is the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi. The massive tree is estimated to be a whopping 1,500 years old and shades an area of 17,000 square feet!

SC produces more peaches than Georgia!

Yup, that’s right! South Carolina produces the second-largest amount of peaches in the country, ranking right behind California! Johnson, SC is also known to be the “Peach Capital of the World” and peaches are even the state fruit of SC!

Home to the first game of golf played in the U.S.

Charleston was the first place in the U.S. to see the game of golf played! In the 1700s, a Charleston merchant received a shipment of golf balls and clubs from Scotland, and from there, players of the game organized the South Carolina Golf Club. The Charleston area is now home to about 27 golf courses.

Sweet tea was born here!

Summerville is said to be the birthplace of sweet tea. And, if you’ve never had sweet tea from South Carolina, then you are missing out!

Monkey Island is a real place!

Officially named Morgan Island, located just north of Beaufort, this sea island is only inhabited by monkeys! The island is home to the only free-ranging rhesus monkey population in the U.S., with a population estimated around 3,500. It is uninhabited by people and visitors are not allowed, although you can arrange for a boat ride to view the island from a distance in hopes of seeing a monkey.

The Iodine State!

Did you know that before SC was known as the Palmetto State, it was the Iodine State? I think everyone is thankful for this change. Imagining a South Carolina without the Palmetto tree plastered on everything is terrifying!

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What To Do During Your Next Weekend Getaway To Greenville, SC

If you’ve never been to Greenville and don’t know what to do, here are a few things you can look into…. 

Check out the artwork!

The Greenville County Museum of Art is home to the world’s largest collection of watercolors! It offers free admission and is conveniently located downtown.

If you want to see more artwork, then check out the Village of West Greenville. This area is an expanding community of the arts, with many art galleries, studios and shops selling locally-made pieces. And, if you happen to be in town for the first Friday of the month, then check out First Friday at the Greenville Center for the Creative Arts! From 6-9pm on First Fridays, you can see local artwork and will have the chance to meet the artists.

Spend some time outdoors!

Check out Falls Park and the Liberty Bridge! These are located downtown on the Reedy River and are a cool spot to take a walk or have a picnic. If you are a more intense outdoor adventurer, then there are many great hiking trails just a short drive from the downtown area!

Go on a brewery tour!

Greenville is now home to 15 breweries, with more in the works to open soon! Can’t decide which one to visit? Then check out one of the brewery tours offered by The Brewery Experience or The Greenville Brews Cruise and spend the day brewery hopping!

Have kids? Take them to the Children’s Museum!

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate is a great place to bring your kids for a day of fun and interactive learning. It’s a learning and play museum for kids ages 1-8, with more than 20 hands-on exhibits. Some activities will change on a monthly basis and admission is fairly priced. If you live close enough, memberships are available and you can even book birthday parties and group trips!

See a show!

There are a few different theaters in Greenville where you can see a show! The Peace Center, Greenville Theatre, Centre Stage, and Warehouse Theatre are all cool spots and all have different shows to offer. Whether you like plays, concerts, or ballet, you are bound to find something that interests you.

 

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Get Moving At One Of These Upcoming Races

On your marks, get set, GO….

Governor’s Cup Road Race – Columbia, SC – Saturday, February 22

Come out for the 48th Annual Governor’s Cup Road Race! Participants have the option of running either a half-marathon or a 5k through Columbia. The half-marathon takes runners over the Congaree River bridges, while the 5k is a fairly flat route through several of Columbia’s charming neighborhoods. Runners with children can participate in a kid-friendly 1-mile race.

Leap Frog 5K– North Myrtle Beach, SC – February, 29

Celebrate leap year in North Myrtle Beach! Dress up in costume while running a 5k or participating in a 1-mile fun run. Prizes will be awarded to the participants with the most fun costumes and The Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach will receive a portion of the race proceeds.

Myrtle Beach Marathon – Myrtle Beach, SC – Saturday, March 7

Sign up for the marathon, half-marathon, 5k, or family fun run (approx. 1 mile) for a weekend of fun. Dave & Buster’s is kicking off the weekend with the beachfront Health and Wellness Expo on Friday, March 6th. On Saturday, runners can find two post-race celebrations after crossing the finish line! This race is a great way to explore the scenic coastline of Myrtle Beach and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Ashley River Adventure Race– Summerville, SC – March, 21*

This year is the 2nd annual Ashley River Adventure Race. The event includes a 5k trail run, followed by an 8-mile downriver paddle and ends with a post-race party at Middleton Place. Not a runner? No worries! Come participate in the fun float where you can enjoy a leisurely, untimed paddle down the Ashley River. 

*Participants must come prepared with their own kayak or stand up paddleboard. Rentals are available at Edisto River Adventures if needed.

Cooper River Bridge Run – Charleston, SC – Saturday, April 4*

Every year, around 40,000 runners take part in the Cooper River Bridge Run, crossing the Ravenel Bridge on their journey to downtown Charleston. The 10k race starts in Mount Pleasant and ends downtown on Meeting Street. This is one of the largest 10k races in the U.S. and is one of Charleston’s biggest events of the year! Runners are invited to a post-race festival in Marion Square to enjoy entertainment, vendors, food, and refreshments!

*Expect road closures Friday and Saturday this weekend.

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