SC legislature passes annual closure of Deveaux Bank This week, the South Carolina legislature officially approved a change to state regulation that closes Deveaux Bank to public access from March 15 to October 15 annually to protect nesting and migratory coastal birds! Deveaux Bank is a critically…
Vint Hill, VA – Family farmers across the United States are facing unprecedented uncertainty due to a federal funding freeze by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Thousands of farmers across the country have not been reimbursed for high quality food they have already delivered to schools, food banks, and local pantries and do not know whether USDA-funded contracts they have for the 2025 crop year will be honored. Local…
A better-balanced South Carolina Energy Security Act The omnibus energy bill H.3309 was recently passed by the S.C. House of Representatives and is currently under consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Conservation League is working to encourage senators to ensure the bill is as balanced as possible, with amendments that could help unlock the valuable cost-saving potential…
Heavier plastic bags, plastic utensils, straws, styrofoam cups and carry-out containers pose a significant long-term threat to our environment. Nearly 50% of Beaufort County is composed of salt marsh and tidal rivers and all too often, plastic and styrofoam products end up polluting our estuaries, where they can be ingested by wildlife or break down into harmful microplastic particles. Help Beaufort County Reduce Plastic Waste Beaufort County has…
Will South Carolina ultimately see the massive boom in data center development some are expecting? A new report could help to provide clarity at a critical time for shaping our state’s energy future and helping to ensure we have reliable electric service that is as affordable as possible. In November, Applied Economics Clinic, a non-profit consulting group, released a white paper on electric utility load forecasting best practices, with a focus…
Yarley Steedly joined the Conservation League at the end of 2024 as our new Director of Government Relations. She’ll be leading our legislative efforts at the Statehouse in Columbia. Prior to joining the Conservation League, she worked for the public and nonprofit sectors, where she sharpened her government relations and lobbying skills advocating for issues in the fields of public health, public education, and higher education. Yarley double majored in political science and environmental…
Earlier this week, President Biden announced the withdrawal of the East Coast, West Coast, Eastern Gulf of Mexico, and portions of the Northern Bering Sea in Alaska from consideration for future offshore drilling — forever! The Conservation League has long worked to oppose offshore drilling in South Carolina. This action resolves key shortcomings we pointed out in a 2020 moratorium on oil operations off the Southeast coast and is a significant victory for our…
State revokes authorization after decisive failure of sales tax referendum Monday, South Carolina’s Joint Bond Review Committee formally revoked authorization and funding for the I-526 or “Mark Clark” Extension after Charleston County voted down a transportation sales tax referendum to fund the $2.3 billion dollar project. Groups like the Coastal Conservation League and Southern Environmental Law Center have fought the I-526 Extension project for years, citing its destructive impacts on…
Public Service Commission’s approval allows failure to invest in clean energy Yesterday, the South Carolina Public Service Commission approved Dominion Energy’s integrated resource plan for South Carolina, paving the way for riskier and dirtier energy sources and putting Dominion’s coal retirement timeline in question. Rather than seize the opportunities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the plan includes heavy investment in methane gas without sufficient investment in cleaner technology. “We’re disappointed in the Public Service…
Congratulations to Jasper County for passing a referendum that establishes its first local conservation fund. The special sales and use tax will raise $94 million to protect land and water and $376 million to fix existing roads over the next 15 years. The majority “Yes” vote (55%) marks a huge step toward ensuring access to clean water and safe roads for all who call Jasper County home. With mounting growth pressure…
