Jul 14 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Noelle Phillips The State, Columbia, S.C.


Tobacco. Cotton. Textiles.

Those industries are on the wane in South Carolina.

Now, the state's political leaders and the business community need to figure out how to tap into the emerging green movement to provide a new economic base, said U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., during a conference for small businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities Monday.

"The question is what is our future?" Clyburn said. "What are we going to do in our rural communities to create alternatives?"

Clyburn encouraged people to look for South Carolina-based solutions to fulfill the nation's need for clean energy. He suggested sugar cane, sweet potatoes and switchgrass as potential sources.

"Why can't we use our native plant, switchgrass?" he said. "We mow it down and leave it on the side of the road."

In pushing these fuel sources, the state will have a cleaner environment, a better economy and do its part to relieve the United States' dependence on foreign oil, Clyburn said.

The congressman spoke Monday during the South Carolina Energy Summit. The summit attracted several hundred business people to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Speakers talked about the future of energy in South Carolina and how to get involved in it. Topics included nuclear energy, wind, solar and hydrogen.

Anita Nelam, business development manager for Felder Construction, said her company wants to understand what is on the cutting edge.

Felder Construction, which does a lot of business at Fort Jackson, specializes in underground electrical and sewer lines. If the new types of power generation emerge in South Carolina, the company needs to know what equipment and supplies are needed to build those connection lines.

"Part of my job is making sure we're aiming in the right direction so the company has a future," she said.

Businesses also will be able to tap into federal stimulus money, said Trish Jerman, policy and program manager at the S.C. Energy Office.

The state is in line to receive more than $100 million.

That money is designated to help public institutions upgrade their buildings to be more energy-efficient, to weatherize homes, to pay for energy-efficient assessments and to train workers who can perform the work, Jerman said.

Opportunities exist across the state for businesses to get involved in energy production and energy efficiency, she said.

South Carolina spends $20 billion a year on energy, she said.

"Let's keep it at home."

Reach Phillips at (803) 771-8307.

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