The Issues
SCGreenGov will track the candidates on a number of key conservation issues:
Offshore Drilling 
Despite what some proponents maintain, drilling for oil and natural gas will not increase America’s energy independence, much less reduce prices at the pump. The US controls 3% of the world’s oil reserves, yet represents 25% of total global consumption. With increased competition from developing countries over an increasingly finite resource, the United States could drill for every available gallon of oil, both offshore and onshore, and not offset the coming rise in gas prices. Read more.
Public Health
For too long, the Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) has given polluters breaks. There is a connection between healthy communities and an educated, competitive workforce. Our state’s waters contain fish with some of the highest methylmercury levels ever recorded. Read more.
Troubled Waters
Clean, abundant water is the lifeblood of our state. South Carolina’s people and communities cannot thrive without it. Our outdoor heritage and the small businesses that drive our economy are inseparable from the health of our rivers, lakes, wetlands and ocean. Read more.
Dirty Air
Dirty air is a challenge to our health and quality of life in South Carolina and could limit future economic growth. It costs much less to clean up air pollution than to pay for the increased health care costs. Read more.
Clean Energy
South Carolina currently gets 98% of its energy from imported fuels. This is bad for our economy, bad for our energy security, and bad for our environment. Fortunately, South Carolina has some of the highest renewable energy potential in the United States. Our state can also lower utility bills by making our homes and businesses more energy efficient. Read more.
New Jobs
We are at a crossroads. South Carolina’s economic past was written by timber, textiles and tourism. Will we build on these and widen our ambitions to include clean energy, innovative technologies and sustainable agriculture? Our next governor will help decide. Read more.
Beautiful Land
Together, forestry, agriculture, outdoor recreation and tourism are South Carolina’s top economic drivers, contributing $50 billion to our economy and over a quarter million jobs annually. Elected leaders love to talk about our bountiful natural resources, but when it comes time to protect them, talk proves cheap. Read more.