Environmental Matters: A South Carolina Environmental & Sustainability Blog

At Wyche, we strive to keep our clients and friends in the know about all the latest environmental and sustainability news. We hope you'll continue to frequent this blog to find our musings on the ever-changing environmental landscape in South Carolina or subscribe to receive updates as they happen.

High Court Gives Government Agencies More Deference

Posted: June 14, 2013
Author: 
Gregory (Greg) J. English

The U.S. Supreme Court recently clarified that a governmental agency which has been given the authority to promulgate regulations and adjudicate disputes may use such authority to interpret its governing statute and that the courts should defer to such interpretation.

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Register for the 2013 SC Clean Energy Summit

Posted: June 12, 2013
Author: 
Rita Bolt Barker

The South Carolina Clean Energy Business Alliance is hosting the 2013 South Carolina Clean Energy Summit July 11th at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

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Greenville County Addresses Stormwater Issues with Market Incentives

Posted: June 4, 2013
Author: 
Wade S. Kolb III

On March 5, the Greenville County Council adopted a new Stormwater Banking Program and incorporated it into the county’s zoning ordinances. The program, which was developed over a four-year period through collaboration among local officials, conservation groups, and homebuilders, seeks to improve the county’s management of stormwater run-off and pollution through a voluntary, market-based incentive program.

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Environmental Non-Compliance Can Be Costly

Posted: June 3, 2013
Author: 
Rita Bolt Barker

Major retailer Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has been hit with more than $81 million in civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Wal-Mart pleaded guilty in three criminal federal cases and entered a consent agreement with the EPA to resolve the civil violations.

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EPA Announces Two New Hazardous Waste Sites

Posted: May 31, 2013
Author: 
Maurie Lawrence

On May 21st, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the addition of two new Southeastern locations to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). Superfund is a federal program used to investigate and clean up hazardous waste sites throughout the United States.

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Tune in to SC ETV Radio at Noon

Posted: May 30, 2013
Author: 
Wade S. Kolb III

Brad Wyche, director of Upstate Forever, will be interviewed on this Friday’s edition of Walter Edgar’s Journal on South Carolina ETV Radio. Topics discussed will include land conservation, natural resources, and sensible growth in the Upstate.

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Solar Energy Bill Stalls in SC Senate

Posted: May 24, 2013
Author: 
Wade S. Kolb III

A bill intended to reduce regulatory hurdles for solar energy companies that invest in South Carolina has failed to gain traction in the South Carolina Senate.

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Brownfield Buyer Beware

Posted: May 21, 2013
Author: 
Gregory (Greg) J. English

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that a purchaser of a brownfield could be held liable for the costs of remediating hazardous substances on it, notwithstanding its bona fide prospective purchaser (“BFPP”) defense.

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State Ban on Seawalls Under Scrutiny

Posted: May 8, 2013
Author: 
Wade S. Kolb III

South Carolina’s twenty-five year ban on seawalls is under scrutiny as a result of a new bill introduced in the General Assembly. Since 1988 construction of new seawalls has been forbidden, with beaches and other coastal communities relying instead on renourishment programs to protect existing construction.

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EPA Invests in Brownfields Redevelopment

Posted: April 30, 2013
Author: 
Rita Bolt Barker

Last week, the EPA announced it will award approximately $4 million in grants to 20 communities to assist with planning for remediation and reuse of brownfields properties.

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