War of words heats up over Ga. dredging
The muck is being flung literally in the harbor-dredging skirmish that's broken out between the Palmetto and Peach states.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control's recent letter saying it would deny a water quality certification for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project prompted a testy response in the Georgia press last week.
A Savannah Morning News editorial under the headline "Sour grapes" called the timing "suspect" and noted Gov.-elect Nikki Haley's words at last year's State of the Port address in Charleston: "Georgia has had their way with us for way too long, and I don't have the patience to let it happen anymore."
The editorial suggests that the delay could give the deeper Port of Charleston a leg up over Savannah, adding that despite the S.C. State Ports Authority's recent strides, "It is still recovering from missteps and missed opportunities" in developing its new container terminal, originally planned for Daniel Island but now under construction at the former Navy base in North Charleston.
"This could explain why our neighbors to the north might be jealous of the booming success of the Georgia Ports Authority," the editorial concludes. "It is, however, no excuse to sabotage Savannah's decade-long effort to secure federal clearance and funding for an infrastructure project important to the economic health of the entire Southeast."
Because Georgia and South Carolina share the Savannah River, environmental regulators in both states must sign off on the dredging project.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intends to deepen Savannah Harbor to as much as 48 feet from 42 feet, a critical issue within the shipping industry right now.
The 2014 Panama Canal expansion will bring with it larger container ships that require deeper ports.
The Savannah River Maritime Commission, a group that represents South Carolina's interests, meets this week to discuss the Savannah deepening project.
Power by the pound
So you've made that New Year's resolution to lose a few pounds from all of those holiday cakes and cookies you consumed.
Walking, biking and even joining a gym will not only help you get rid of those pounds, it can help cut your electric bill, too.
How?
According to Santee Cooper's latest installment of green living tips, if you aren't in your house watching TV or surfing the Internet, you are saving energy and cutting pounds at the same time, not to mention helping your wallet.
Not only should you turn off your electrical devices when you are not home, the state-owned utility recommends that you also unplug them to save on the phantom power that robs your wallet.
Phone charges, game systems, computers, DVD players and TVs should be unplugged when not in use.
Don't forget to adjust your thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer to realize energy savings. Also, change filters if they look dirty to save on energy costs and potentially costly equipment maintenance if you don't.
It's a good time to plant a tree to shade your home as well. Mother Nature will be happy, your neighbors will enjoy the additional landscaping and you can reap the benefits of having your home shaded during the hot summer months.
Red-hot toy
Summerville fire-engine manufacturer American LaFrance has refreshed business ties with Code 3 Collectibles, which ensures that playful truck models will continue to roll off the assembly line. Company executives announced the license agreement renewal last week.
Under the renewed agreement, one of the first new models will be a pink model fire engine that honors female firefighters. That model replicates an American LaFrance truck that the company makes for San Francisco's fire department: a model called the Eagle pumper.
The commemorative model is made complete with a cute little pink bow on the fire engine's front grill.
Meanwhile, American LaFrance will continue to make the real things at a 520,000-square-foot manufacturing building off Jedburg Road near Interstate 26.
Precautionary move
Talk about finding needles in a haystack.
A big Berkeley County-based lighting manufacturer has issued a recall for 150 products sold over an 18-month period.
The outdoor hanging lanterns were manufactured in China and distributed by Quoizel Inc. of Goose Creek. The recall was initiated because the glass shade can separate from the top support ring and fall, injuring people who are nearby.
No injuries have been reported, but Quoizel said on its website that it was aware of one incident of a shade falling. The recall is being called a precaution.
Anyone who purchased the lanterns in question should go to www.quoizel.com or call 877-316-2589 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays to order a free, easy-to-install replacement part, which will be available in mid-February.
The Nortridge Agate Stone model lanterns were sold at specialty lighting retail shops and online from June 2008 to January 2010. The style number is AGNT1912K.
An added touch:
"We will be sending you a gift to make up for this inconvenience," Quoizel said on its recall notice. "Please accept our handmade Tiffany animal accent light as a thank you for your patience."
Quoizel relocated its operations to the Lowcountry from New York in 1995.
