Study: More than Half of U.S. Lives Amid Unclean Air

More than half of the U.S. population lives amid potentially dangerous air pollution, with national efforts to improve air quality at risk of being reversed, a new report has warned.

A total of 166 million Americans live in areas that have unhealthy levels of of either ozone or particle pollution, according to the American Lung Association, raising their risk of lung cancer, asthma attacks, heart disease, reproductive problems and other ailments.

The association’s 17th annual “state of the air” report found that there has been a gradual improvement in air quality in recent years but warned progress has been too slow and could even be reversed by efforts in Congress to water down the Clean Air Act.

Climate change is also a looming air pollution challenge, with the report charting an increase in short-term spikes in particle pollution. Many of these day-long jumps in soot and smoke have come from a worsening wildfire situation across the US, especially in areas experiencing prolonged dry conditions.

Six of the 10 worst US cities for short-term pollution are in California, which has been in the grip of an historic drought. Bakersfield, California, was named the most polluted city for both short-term and year-round particle pollution, while Los Angeles-Long Beach was the worst for ozone pollution.

Small particles that escape from the burning of coal and from vehicle tail pipes can bury themselves deep in people’s lungs, causing various health problems. Ozone and other harmful gases can also be expelled from these sources, triggering asthma attacks and even premature death.

It isn’t all bad news – the total number of unhealthy air days has fallen and year-round particle pollution has dropped as old diesel engines are retired and coal-fired power plants are cleaned up. The federal Clean Air Act, established in 1970, is credited with cleaning up many US cities that were previously blighted by harmful smog. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the legislation will have saved around 4.2 million lives by 2020.

But environmental groups have warned that some members of Congress are actively attempting to weaken the Clean Air Act. A bill backed by the Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz would prevent the federal government from regulating various toxins under the Clean Air Act. Republicans have also objected to the act being used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prompting a US supreme court challenge to the Clean Power Plan.

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American Legion Rally Today in Columbia

The American Legion and other South Carolina military veterans' organizations are holding a rally at the Statehouse to address a number of key issues to from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Statehouse steps.

Army Maj. Gen. James Siegfreid is the keynote speaker. He will discuss honoring Vietnam veterans.

Also addressing the group is Rep. James Smith, D-S.C., chairman of the South Carolina State Officials Veterans Study Committee. Smith has served in the South Carolina Army National Guard and is a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan.

Several of the issues of concern to the veterans are passage of legislation to increase state income tax exemptions for military retirees, getting improved care for homeless veterans, and increased assistance for the spouses of deceased military service members.

Clemson to Host Two Diversity Forums Today

Clemson University officials will host two diversity forums today, after a week of protests.

“The President's Commission today on "The Status of Black Faculty and Staff” in the Hendrix Center from 10 a.m.-noon. The goal of the forum is to address students and faculty concerns about racial and other culturally sensitive issues.

Tonight, the last forum will take place 6:30-7:30 p.m. in  Brackett Hall Auditorium. Officials will lead a discussion on supporting underrepresented students.

“This is the issue of how we continue to make our university community a place that is welcoming, safe and supportive for all who choose to study or work here,” Clemson University President Jim Clements said in a news release.

Clements said the forum is for students and staff members interested in the diversity issues.

”I'm confident that all of us together can continue to make progress and drive these important ongoing and new initiatives forward,” Clements said.

Floyd Tells County Council "I Will Not Be Bullied"

In an epic meltdown, Anderson County Councilwoman Gracie Floyd accused other members of Anderson County Council of not serving their constituents during a 30-minute impassioned presentation Tuesday night during the regularly scheduled council meeting. 

“The reason I am doing this is because I am tired,” Floyd said. “I ask questions. How can you serve people when they don't see you serve? 

They vote for everything, they ask no questions.  If y’all are satisfied sitting here watching them raise their hands, go ahead.” 

Floyd also accused Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn of bullying her during the April 5 county council meeting, during which she walked out, for not allowing her to continue asking questions on an allocation for recreation equipment to children in the City of Anderson by Anderson County Council by Anderson County Councilman Francis Crowder.

“I will not be bullied,” Floyd said. “Bring it on. I refuse to be told to be quiet.” 

“You can get rid of me, if that’s what you want to do, that’s fine. If you are not satisfied with me, vote me out. Are the people in my district are going to let this person bully a person who has been on council for 16 years and sit there and not say anything?”

Meanwhile, Anderson County Council approved on second reading an ordinance to change county council terms from two years to four years. The new terms would be staggered so that council elections would be help so that all of council would not be elected during the same cycle. 

“This is giving the people of Anderson County a chance to vote on what they want,” said Anderson County Councilman Ken Waters.

“This gives people a choice,” Dunn said. 

Also on Tuesday night, council also approved, on second reading, the formation of the Anderson County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The bureau currently operates under Innovate Anderson. If approved on third reading, the Anderson County Convention and Visitors Bureau would become a legal organization accountable to county council. 

Anderson County Councilwoman Gracie Floyd, who questioned the ordinance on first reading, Tuesday night expressed her concerns about the move, saying it was “unclear.” 

The ordinance passed by a vote of 6-1, with Floyd opposing. 

Anderson County Councilman Tom Allen reported on the South Carolina Department of Transportation audit conducted by the Legislative Audit Council. Allen said the highlights of the 300-page document includes the following key findings: 

While South Carolina roads have deteriorated significantly since 2008, the state continues to spend a large portion of funding adding miles of roads instead of maintaining current roads.

SCDOT does not follow a prioritized list of road projects and often takes lower priority projects.

SCDOT does not re-evaluate projects to see if changes need to be changed and if these are still valid. Allen gave the example of the proposed roundabout at Brown Road and Kings Road. “We don’t need a $2.2 Million roundabout now,” Allen said. “That was taken care of by East-West Parkway. They don’t re-evaluate. 

The SCDOT internal auditing function is ineffective, due to impaired independence authority of auditor.

SCDOT is heavily reliant on state tax and federal money, which do not adjust for inflation, and a gas tax is regressive. The audit found there are alternative revenue sources, other monies that could be moved into transportation side of the house. 

“We’ll see here over the next few weeks what happens down in Columbia to see if any of this actually gets straightened out,” Allen said. 

Also on Tuesday night, council: 

Approved on second reading, an ordinance to authorize and accept the transfer of authority to conduct municipal elections scheduled for November of odd numbered years for the Town of Pelzer to the Anderson County Registration and Elections Board.

Approved on second reading an ordinance to authorize Anderson County to obtain a loan from the Brownfields revolving loan fund administered by the Catawba Regional Council of Governments for environmental cleanup at the Toxaway Mill Site and the Pelzer Mill Site. 

Approved a resolution expressing intent to cease county maintenance on and to authorize county consent to judicial abandonment and closure of Milldenhall Road (designated C-04-0095A).

Approved an $80,000 grant for a federal fund to update the Emergency Disaster Plan.

The State: S.C. Considering Ban on Plastic Grocery Bags

Plastic bags that shoppers use to carry groceries home from the store are an increasing menace to marine life and a general litter problem across South Carolina, say some scientists and conservationists who support curbing the use of the handy carriers.

Many sea creatures eat plastic bags, or the remnants of the bags, that get into the ocean, thinking the floating trash is food. That then clogs their digestive systems, which can kill animals or reduce their abilities to grow and reproduce, bag critics contend. Toxins in the fiber of plastic bags also threaten sea life, they say.

Without a ban or limits on plastic bags, the ocean off South Carolina will remain fraught with unnatural perils for sea turtles, shrimp and other creatures, according to the S.C. Coastal Conservation League and the Conservation Voters of South Carolina, two leading environmental organizations.

“Single-use plastic bags are a serious problem,” the Conservation League’s Katie Zimmerman said. “For the most part, they’re not a necessary product anymore, and they’re very outdated. But they manage to get everywhere.’’

Banning or limiting plastic bags, however, has plenty of detractors. Boosters of the plastic bag industry say industrial plants that produce the bags provide hundreds of jobs and pump up the economy of South Carolina and other states. And, they note, many people depend on the bags to carry an array of products bought at stores.

Full Story Here

Air Quality Alert Remains in Effect

An Air Quality Alert remains in place for the Upstate today. Breathing conditions could be risky for the elderly, the very young, and anyone with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

Spending time outside is safe, although officials suggest limiting activities which require long-term outdoor activities such as running or other physical work.

S.C. Bathroom Bill Unlikely to Get Vote

Chances are dwindling for a vote on a S.C. bill that would limit the bathrooms and locker rooms that transgender men and women could use.

Senate General Committee chairman Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson, said the bill’s main sponsor, Sen. Lee Bright, R-Spartanburg, did not ask to have his proposal discussed at a committee meeting Wednesday. The meeting would be the first chance to discuss the bill after two days of emotional testimony last week.

Bright said he is trying to win support from a majority of the 17-member General Committee to send his proposal straight to the Senate floor. He said he has backing from four senators on the committee.

Bryant, a co-sponsor of the bill, said Monday getting the proposal through the Senate before the May 1 “crossover” deadline to get legislation to the House would be difficult.

State Sen. Marlon Kimpson, a Charleston Democrat who sits on the General Committee, said he plans on placing a minority report on the bill, which would halt it without a unanimous vote of the Senate.

Bright said he hopes a S.C. House member introduces a similar bathroom bill, increasing its possibility of passage this year.

Bill backers say they want to protect women from men entering women’s restrooms and locker rooms.

The transgender community and its supporters say Bright’s proposal is discriminatory and could hurt South Carolina economically.

Businesses and musicians are boycotting North Carolina after that state passed a similar bill last month. In Tennessee, a transgender bathroom proposal failed Monday amid criticism.

More Here

2nd Vote on 4-Year Terms Part of Tuesday Council Meeting

Anderson County Council will vote on second an ordinance to shift the elections of council members to staggered four-year terms as part of Tuesday night's meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the historic courthouse downtown.

Currently, county council members serve two-year terms which are not staggered. A number of council members have said in the past two-year terms essentially are not long enough, suggesting that the shorter terms leave them in a state of constantly running for office.

Greenville and Greenwood County Councils currently uses the four-year, staggered terms approach, as do many other counties in the state.

Full Agenda Here

School Dist. 5 Career Expo an Job Fair Tomorrow

The Anderson 5 Career Campus will be hosting its first Career Expo and Job Fair on Tuesday from 2-6 p.m. Approximately 25 companies are expected to be represented at this event.

The event will feature a special session called “Industry Signing Day” where students will be signing internship and other work-based learning contracts with industry (similar to college signing day). Students will have an opportunity to get a first look at industry to learn more about career opportunities and pathways. The event will open to the public at 3:15 p.m. and the community can also come to learn more about vacant jobs in Anderson and potentially apply for these positions. 

For more information, contact David Pressley, Anderson 5 Director of School-to-Work programs, at 864-260-5160.

Centerville Students Book Release Party Today

Today, Clemson University Pearce Center interns will return to Centerville Elementary to host a party for “What Will I Be?,”  stories written by the 24 students in Laura Heffington’s class about their future career goals.

Each student will receive a copy of the published book at that time.

Clemson University student interns from the Pearce Center for Professional Communication collaborated with a fourth-grade class at Centerville Elementary School in Anderson to publish a book earlier this semester. 

“The Pearce Center recognizes that students who fail to develop a passion for reading and writing at a young age are less likely to succeed in their education,” said Ashley Cowden Fisk, assistant director of the center. “The goal of this project is to inspire the Centerville Elementary students to develop a love of both reading and writing, as well as to enable students to recognize their unlimited career potential. Our hope is that the students will read this book over the summer to bridge the education gap that often occurs between school years.”

Beth Winship, a Pearce Center intern and senior marketing major, emphasized the importance of writing in every career.

“I never considered myself a strong writer, but through my work at the Pearce Center, I’ve learned how important communication is in every field,” she said. “I hope that we have been able to influence Mrs. Heffington’s class as strong role models so that each student feels encouraged to achieve their dreams and excel in their education, beginning by developing strong writing skills.”

James Kidd, another Pearce intern, working with two students, Joshua Donald and Jonah Calhoun, on some final edits to their stories.

The Pearce Center’s mission is to promote effective communication as an integral part of the learning process at all levels of schooling. The Center’s emphasis on writing, editing, design and print and digital publication production provides a valuable service-learning opportunity for the interns. The collaboration with Centerville Elementary allowed Pearce Center undergraduate student interns to gain career experience in publishing while also promoting reading, writing and editing at the elementary school level.

Air Quality Alert in Upstate Today

An Air Quality Alert is in place for the Upstate today. Breathing conditions could be risky for the elderly, the very young, and anyone with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

Spending time outside is safe, although officials suggest limiting activities which require long-term outdoor activities such as running or other physical work.

Ground-level ozone levels should return to normal tomorrow.

Supreme Court to Rule on Obama Immigration Plan

The U.S. Supreme Court takes up a case on Monday probing the limits of presidential powers as the justices weigh whether President Barack Obama overstepped his authority with unilateral action to protect millions of people in the country illegally from deportation.

The case, pitting Obama against 26 states led by Texas that filed suit to block his 2014 immigration plan, is one of the biggest of the court's current term ending in June.

The court is evenly divided with four liberal justices and four conservatives following the February death of conservative Antonin Scalia. That raises the possibility of a 4-4 split that would leave in place a 2015 lower-court ruling that threw out the president's executive action that bypassed the Republican-led Congress.

Obama took the action after House of Representatives Republicans killed bipartisan legislation, billed as the biggest overhaul of U.S. immigration laws in decades and providing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, that was passed by the Senate in 2013.

Obama's plan was tailored to let roughly 4 million people - those who have lived illegally in the United States at least since 2010, have no criminal record and have children who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents - get into a program that shields them from deportation and supplies work permits.

Full Story Here

SCDOT Says Half of Extra Funds to Be Used for Repaving

he South Carolina Department of Transportation says about half of the extra $415 million set aside for roads in next year's state budget will go for repaving projects.

The DOT released its plans for the extra money to The Greenville News (http://grnol.co/1VrZMQA ). The Senate must still approve the spending plan.

The DOT says $147 million would be spent on paving projects for the state's primary routes, while $65 million would go for paving projects on national routes.

An additional $79 million would go for bridge work on interstates and primary routes and $25 million would go toward fixing load restricted bridges.

The DOT says $49 million will pay for flood recovery work and $50 million will be sent to counties.

The money can only be guaranteed in next year's budget.