SC

Georgia Lawmakers Approve $50M For Port

Georgia lawmakers approved $50 million in additional funding this week for the state’s Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) – a massive $652 million taxpayer-funded endeavor which received a key shot in the arm from S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley in 2011. The project aims to deepen the Savannah River from 42…

Georgia lawmakers approved $50 million in additional funding this week for the state’s Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) – a massive $652 million taxpayer-funded endeavor which received a key shot in the arm from S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley in 2011.

The project aims to deepen the Savannah River from 42 to 47 feet to accommodate the next generation of super-sized container ships – a.k.a. “Post-Panamax” ships.

The administration of Barack Obama is on board with the project, and the state legislature has now appropriated more than $231 million toward its completion.

In November 2011, Haley’s appointees to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) reversed the agency’s prior decision to deny a water quality permit in conjunction with the expansion. In exchange for this flip-flop, Haley received financial support from Georgia donors as well as a prime time speaking slot at the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Haley’s sellout was unanimously rebuked by the S.C. General Assembly – and overturned by the S.C. Supreme Court – however the damage was done.

In response to Haley’s sellout, lawmakers were forced to appropriate $300 million toward the dredging of Charleston Harbor in an effort to keep up with Savannah.

Of course the real damage done by the governor has nothing to do with Charleston and everything to do with Jasper County, S.C. – which is home to the last viable deepwater port location on the Eastern Seaboard. Under the Savannah plan endorsed by Haley, not only would the Georgia port gain a competitive advantage against Charleston – which it has been beating like a drum in recent years – but toxic sludge from the dredging project would be dumped on the Jasper County port site for the next fifty years.

While Jasper remains dead in the water, Charleston interests say they aren’t sweating Georgia’s expansion plans.

“They still will not have the capability Charleston has today,” one port insider told us.

Still, Haley’s sellout remains – in our opinion – her single most egregious lapse in judgment since taking office in January 2011.

***

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26 comments

Waterfront Commentator April 3, 2013 at 3:29 pm

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Larry Grooms (R-Bonneau) is the only person who can do anything to change the direction of the non-competitive S.C. State Ports Authority.

The SCSPA board has nine members, two of whose terms have expired — McMaster and Floyd.

Grooms was primary sponsor of legislation that was passed in 2011 requiring a more competitive and broader-experienced board. Fewer insiders, real estate moguls, politicians and lawyers.

Grooms should insist on getting from Gov. Haley her recommendations for replacing McMaster and Floyd, and not rubber-stamping political hacks.

Grooms’ committee has the authority to accept or reject gubernatorial appointments.

Reply
You know me April 3, 2013 at 3:34 pm

Maybe Larry will grow a pair and do the right thing.

Reply
jimlewisowb April 3, 2013 at 3:49 pm

How in the hell is a pair of tits going to make any difference

Reply
Sammy Stevedore April 3, 2013 at 6:58 pm

Larry needs feedback and reinforcement from the public.

So, remind him: 803-212-6400.

I’m sure the incumbents are pressuring / contributing $$ to maintain their board positions.

Reply
WTF April 3, 2013 at 5:02 pm

Maybe they will use the Savannah Port to bring in all of the hazardous materials, human waste and trash for the Peeler’s new landfills.

Reply
Sam April 4, 2013 at 12:38 pm

Grooms is a gutless sycophant.

Reply
Tony April 4, 2013 at 2:29 pm

also one of our dumber legislators

Reply
Waterfront Commentator April 3, 2013 at 3:29 pm

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Larry Grooms (R-Bonneau) is the only person who can do anything to change the direction of the non-competitive S.C. State Ports Authority.

The SCSPA board has nine members, two of whose terms have expired — McMaster and Floyd.

Grooms was primary sponsor of legislation that was passed in 2011 requiring a more competitive and broader-experienced board. Fewer insiders, real estate moguls, politicians and lawyers.

Grooms should insist on getting from Gov. Haley her recommendations for replacing McMaster and Floyd, and not rubber-stamping political hacks.

Grooms’ committee has the authority to accept or reject gubernatorial appointments.

Reply
You know me April 3, 2013 at 3:34 pm

Maybe Larry will grow a pair and do the right thing.

Reply
jimlewisowb April 3, 2013 at 3:49 pm

How in the hell is a pair of tits going to make any difference

Reply
Sammy Stevedore April 3, 2013 at 6:58 pm

Larry needs feedback and reinforcement from the public.

So, remind him: 803-212-6400.

I’m sure the incumbents are pressuring / contributing $$ to maintain their board positions.

Reply
WTF April 3, 2013 at 5:02 pm

Maybe they will use the Savannah Port to bring in all of the hazardous materials, human waste and trash for the Peeler’s new landfills.

Reply
Sam April 4, 2013 at 12:38 pm

Grooms is a gutless sycophant.

Reply
Tony April 4, 2013 at 2:29 pm

also one of our dumber legislators

Reply
Sam April 3, 2013 at 6:18 pm

Interesting that the Jasper Port site is owned – lock stock and barrel -by the State of Georgia, as is most of the South Carolina bank of the River all the way up to the port turning basin.

Reply
Waterfront Commentator April 3, 2013 at 8:36 pm

Small detail: The turning basin is immediately adjacent to the Jasper site.

Reply
Sam April 3, 2013 at 6:18 pm

Interesting that the Jasper Port site is owned – lock stock and barrel -by the State of Georgia, as is most of the South Carolina bank of the River all the way up to the port turning basin.

Reply
Waterfront Commentator April 3, 2013 at 8:36 pm

Small detail: The turning basin is immediately adjacent to the Jasper site.

Reply
Halfvast Conspirator April 3, 2013 at 6:37 pm

SC taxpayers are now going to pay $558 million for 7 miles of useless road, likely closer to a $billion if it were ever to be done. That makes a lot of sense. Bobby Harrell, Joe Riley, the Summeys, and a cast of lesser scoundrels supporting their developer and contractor buddies. Looks like Georgia and SC scoundrels are made from the same stuff.

Reply
Halfvast Conspirator April 3, 2013 at 6:37 pm

SC taxpayers are now going to pay $558 million for 7 miles of useless road, likely closer to a $billion if it were ever to be done. That makes a lot of sense. Bobby Harrell, Joe Riley, the Summeys, and a cast of lesser scoundrels supporting their developer and contractor buddies. Looks like Georgia and SC scoundrels are made from the same stuff.

Reply
Gasping Fish April 3, 2013 at 7:22 pm

The DHEC board voted for the reversal and sellout, but it was DHEC officials who are still there who happily handed them the contrived and unproven excuse allowing them to do so.

Reply
Gasping Fish April 3, 2013 at 7:22 pm

The DHEC board voted for the reversal and sellout, but it was DHEC officials who are still there who happily handed them the contrived and unproven excuse allowing them to do so.

Reply
lowcorider April 3, 2013 at 8:59 pm

What! Wait! Hold the fucking phone!!! Does Tom Davis know about this!!

Reply
Lowcorider April 3, 2013 at 8:59 pm

What! Wait! Hold the fucking phone!!! Does Tom Davis know about this!!

Reply
Philip Branton April 4, 2013 at 2:21 pm

Hmm………what does Fits fail to tell the readers…??

“…In response to Haley’s sellout, lawmakers were forced to appropriate $300 million toward the dredging of Charleston Harbor in an effort to keep up with Savannah…”

How would a Google Earth shot of the actual dumping “Spoil site” be shown to show the monetary benefit to WHOM…??

Reply
Philip Branton April 4, 2013 at 2:21 pm

Hmm………what does Fits fail to tell the readers…??

“…In response to Haley’s sellout, lawmakers were forced to appropriate $300 million toward the dredging of Charleston Harbor in an effort to keep up with Savannah…”

How would a Google Earth shot of the actual dumping “Spoil site” be shown to show the monetary benefit to WHOM…??

Reply

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