Barrett reveals 'Palmetto Project' for energy

South Carolina's economic and energy future is dependent on offshore drilling and the rebirth of the nuclear power industry, according to U.S. Representative and gubernatorial candidate Gresham Barrett.

During a tour of South Carolina's technical colleges, Barrett unveiled his "Palmetto Project," a plan he sees as a move toward energy independence and job creation within the Palmetto State.

On Tuesday, Barrett came to Aiken Technical College and visited its nuclear technician training facility.

His plan is to make his home state a pilot project for natural gas drilling off the coast, where studies state there could be an estimated 4 billion cubic feet of natural gas. As governor, Barrett would push toward drilling, while looking to streamline the regulations for the establishment of new, commercial nuclear reactors.

"The answer to our economic problems are in the private sector," he said.

The Palmetto Project highlights the candidate's federal input and his prospective local initiatives, listing both national and state actions that need to be taken for his quick drilling and long-term nuclear strategy come to fruition.

Barrett believes the state should look to four reactors being built in-state, touting that one plant can create 2,400 jobs during construction and provide 400 to 700 permanent jobs during operation. He said that plants generate about $430 million a year in total output for the community and nearly $40 million in total labor income.

Citing an American Petroleum Institute study, Barrett said his offshore drilling proposal could create about 2,250 jobs in South Carolina and add about $413 million annually to the Gross Domestic Product. It could also generate $250 million annually in royalty sharing, which he hopes to divert from federal to local use.

The diverted royalties would be split among three areas with 70 percent going to an "Infrastructure Trust Fund," 20 percent to the Department of Public Safety and 10 percent for alternative energy research and production. The congressman believes the funds diverted toward law enforcement are essential to his top priority, which he said is security.

Although committed to moving forward with the plan immediately, Barrett would not specify a timeline in which his project could be implemented or which obstacles could be removed to increase the pace of reactor development.

While at Aiken Tech, Barrett walked through the facility used to train students looking to work in the field of nuclear safety. Led by program coordinator Wade Miller, a loaned executive from the Savannah River Site, Barrett commended Aiken Tech's work and the standards it sets for its students.

Contact Mike Gellatly at mgellatly@aikenstandard.com.