McMaster says all Savannah River Site settlement money should stay in 3 SC counties
Gov. Henry Mcmaster wants state lawmakers to spend more than $500 million in federal money from the Savannah River Site settlement on infrastructure, cybersecurity-related projects and workforce training programs in Aiken, Barnwell and Allendale counties.
McMaster on Friday called for the entirety of the $525 million from the settlement to stay in the three counties affected by the presence of the weapons-grade plutonium left by the federal government at the site.
The federal government failed to build a mixed-oxide fuel plant to convert plutonium into fuel for nuclear power, and kept tons of plutonium at the site. It was required to remove the plutonium by 2022. Under the settlement, the federal government now has until 2037 to remove the 9.5 metric tons of plutonium by 2037.
“For over 70 years, SRS has contributed mightily to the economic prosperity of the state and to the Central Savannah River Area — while the men and women working at SRS made even greater contributions to our nation’s national security — and played a key role in winning the Cold War,” McMaster wrote in a letter to lawmakers. “It is my belief that the communities surrounding SRS should be the prime beneficiaries of these settlement funds.”
Split between the three counties, McMaster suggests sending $317 million to projects in Aiken County, $121 million to Barnwell County and $13 million to Allendale County.
Among the big-ticket items, McMaster’s asked lawmakers to shell out $120 million for the Battelle Alliance at the Savannah River National Lab. There, the University of South Carolina, Clemson University and S.C. State University are working with the lab to conduct research and development in nuclear sciences and to develop workforce training programs for engineering, science, research and management positions for nuclear facilities operated by the Department of Energy.
He also wants $90 million for Barnwell County, so the county can build a high school and career technology center for its 1,500 high school students. The investment, however, would be contingent on all the school districts consolidating.
“The new facility will provide students with career opportunities and youth apprenticeship programs aligned with current and projected workforce needs of the region,” his letter said.
And he wants lawmakers to set aside $73.5 million in a reserve account for the three counties should any other future needs arise.
“These settlement funds present us with a once in a lifetime opportunity,” McMaster wrote. “By making big, bold, and transformative investments in the areas of education, infrastructure, workforce, and economic development, we can quite literally change the future of the region and the State.”
Lawmakers will return to Columbia for the regular work session in January.
McMaster’s recommendations
▪ $120 million, for the Battelle Alliance at Savannah River National Lab
▪ $90 million, for a Consolidated Barnwell County School District, new high school and career and technology center
▪ $30 million, for Economic Development/Industrial Parks in Aiken County
▪ $29.5 million, for water and sewer infrastructure in Aiken County
▪ $28.7 million, for SRS Corridor/Whiskey Road Congestion Relief
▪ $25 million, for a 5,000 acre regional industrial site in Barnwell County
▪ $20 million, for Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam redevelopment and improvement
▪ $15 million, for the Aiken Electric Cooperative broadband initiative
▪ $15 million, for cyber initiative infrastructure in North Augusta
▪ $10 million, advanced manufacturing collaborative at USC-Aiken
▪ $10 million, regional technical training center at USC Salkehatchie in Allendale County
▪ $9.8 million, for USC Aiken/National Guard dreamport and readiness center
▪ $9.5 million, Aiken Tech nursing school facility and welding lab
▪ $4 million, advanced technology park in Barnwell County
▪ $3 million, Pointe Salkehatchie Industrial Park in Allendale County
▪ $2 million, for water and sewer infrastructure improvements Barnwell County.
This story was originally published December 10, 2021 at 2:20 PM with the headline "McMaster says all Savannah River Site settlement money should stay in 3 SC counties."
