SRS key in new energy proposal

Congressman Joe Wilson is proposing a new energy bill he believes balances energy needs and environmental concerns, without compromising either.

Drilling for oil off the coast of South Carolina and others states, building a nuclear reprocessing center and commercial reactors at the Savannah River Site and coal furnaces are all part of Wilson's proposal for "American Conservation and Clean Energy."

Wilson unveiled a bill this week that the Congressman believes will take great strides toward the future of clean energy. A bill that has support from both sides of the isle and would be a boon for the Savannah River Site and the Congressman's state.

The bill focuses on drilling 20 miles off the coast of several states in the pursuit of local oil and natural gas. With drilling he hopes the profits from offshore leasing would be distributed with the lion share being split between the producing states,

new energy research, deploying clean coal technologies, environmental restoration, the treasury and a fund to "be used to assist in reprocessing and recycling spent (nuclear) fuel."

Wilson's "American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act" outlines a 20-mile minimum for any permanent drilling structure off of the American coastline.

"I am very concerned with the hospitality industry in South Carolina," Wilson said.

The 20-mile permanent structure limits and 10-mile surface occupancy limits, Wilson said, are based on facts that these limits would mean the rigs would be invisible from even the tallest buildings in Charleston.

As alternatives to carbon-producing energy sites, Wilson hopes to "encourage America's commercial nuclear renaissance," saying Wednesday he saw South Carolina as a centerpiece to this.

New, commercial reactors producing energy for surrounding states, Wilson said, would also help to fuel research.

Wilson believes with new technology research, at the Savannah River National Laboratory could be vital.

"I believe it should happen, I want to promote it," said the Congressman who represents the eastern half of Aiken County. "I am very partial (and want) any advances to be located at SRS."

In addition to advancing an energy network that moves away from oil imports, the act looks to transportation.

"Exploration of new domestic oil and natural gas is important, however, investments must be made to diversify America's transportation system to reduce the overall use of oil in the future economy," the bill reads. "This legislation will greatly expand the use of low carbon electricity production and enhance America's security by promoting fuel diversity, spurring the use of electric hybrids in transportation."

Further research on plug-in stations, battery efficiency and syncing the U.S. system to the rest of the world, are also mentioned in the bill.

The bill, H.R. 2227 was introduced to the house May 4 and has been sent to committee.

Contact Mike Gellatly at mgellatly@aikenstandard.com.