Presidential should feel the heat of global warming in S.C.

Contributed by The Conservation Voters of South Carolina Education Fund (CVSCEF)

Just one year out from S.C.'s "first- in- the- South" presidential primary, the governor of S.C. and the state legislature are both working to develop incentives for the public and private sectors to slow global warming. As presidential candidates ramp up their visits to the Palmetto State, the debate on climate change will intensify as state officials and members of the public ask how each candidate, if elected, plans to address this pressing issue.

This month the state- appointed South Carolina Strategic and Tactical Research on Energy Independence Commission (STREIC) released its report, "Breaking the Dependence on Oil and Fueling the Future through Economic Development." At the heart of the commission's report lies the assumption that developing a new energy economy is both the responsibility of and an opportunity for S.C.'s state government.

To encourage S.C. to free itself from dependence on foreign oil, STREIC has made several legislative recommendations, including sales tax rebates for in- state purchases of flex- fuel, hydrogen, and hybrid vehicles; incentive payments to retailers and refiners of ethanol and biodiesel fuels; the establishment of an energy task force to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce the state's dependence on imported energy sources; and that S.C. officially join the "25x25" campaign, a national effort that seeks by 2025 to generate 25% of the total energy consumed in the U.S. from renewable sources.

These recommendations arise in conjunction with the Governor's plan to appoint a task force expressly dedicated to addressing global warming. "Climate change is real," Sanford said in an interview with The State last week. "We're looking at this as an opportunity to lead."

But countering global warming will also take a federal response, and with its early primary S.C. has a unique opportunity to impact the national debate. At recent campaign events around the state, candidates Bill Richardson, John McCain, Duncan Hunter, and Mitt Romney have all fielded questions on global warming. Their responses are being tracked at a website, heatison.org , managed by Conservation Voters of S.C. Education Fund (CVSCEF).

"People are talking about climate change, and our state elected officials are listening. From historic Charleston to our treasured coastline, climate change poses a serious threat to what we cherish most about our state," CVSCEF Executive Director Ann Timberlake said. "Now we need the presidential candidates to start paying attention."

Over 3,000 miles of S.C.'s shoreline could be impacted by the rising sea levels scientists predict due to global warming. In Charleston, sea level is likely to rise another 19 inches within our children's lifetime. Global warming is also expected to increase storm damage to the densely developed Grand Strand. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that sand replenishment projects to protect S.C.'s coast from a 20- inch sea level rise at $1.2- $9.4 billion.

"Prospective candidates visiting South Carolina should come prepared to provide concrete solutions to global warming," offered CVSC board chair Jenks Mikell. "The stakes for South Carolina, and our country, couldn't be higher."