S. CAROLINA IS NEW ENERGY CURIOUS (WIND, CURRENTS & WAVES)

One of the more conservative states is looking into one of the most progressive kinds of New Energy -- because New Energy neutralizes politcal extremism and brings people together.

S.C. seeks public input on ocean energy
May 1, 2007 (AP via Yahoo News)
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WHO
South Carolina political leaders, esp. South Carolina Energy Office (John Clark, spokesman), U.S. Department of Interior Minerals Management Service (MMS)

WHAT
Interior’s MMS is holding public hearings to obtain citizen input and feedback on coastal renewable energy technology plans and potentialities.

WHEN
The hearing is May 3, 2007.

WHERE
The focus is on development of energy resources on S. Carolina’s Outer Continental Shelf, 3 miles out and beyond.

WHY
- Offshore wind energy is expanding across the country and around the world. Wave, tide and current energies are less-tried concepts but experimental projects are on-going. All hold great promise of producing renewable energy and South Carolina’s coast is ripe for development. Such projects require citizen approval and cooperation for optimal development.
- Wind is, of course, captured by turbines anchored in the sea bed. Wave energy can be captured by bobing buoys, turbines on the sea floor or ducts through which waves flow.
Once captured, the energy must be transmitted by come kind of cabling system to shore.

QUOTES
Nicholas Rigas, director of the South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies, Clemson University: "It beats a coal plant in my mind…It's definitely a technology that's coming on strong. I think there is potential, but it has to be cost-competitive."
Robin Montgomery, South Carolina Electric & Gas Co.: "That's something that we're going to keep up with, but from an economic standpoint, it really doesn't make sense to us…"