AGP Executive Report

ACE Basin Gas Plant Pushback: South Carolina’s proposed natural gas plant in the ACE Basin is drawing fresh fire from residents and environmental groups, who say regulators aren’t doing enough on both costs and environmental impacts—while the state’s own messaging points to approvals and monitoring. Heat Watch: A summer-like warm-up is settling over much of the state, with highs mostly in the 90s and storm chances suppressed for now. Seafood Transparency: The “Shrimp Caucus” nickname is sticking as lawmakers work through differences on a bill that would require clearer labeling of locally sourced vs. imported shrimp. Lake Greenwood Update: SCDES says a historic cleanup site near Lake Greenwood hasn’t been linked to the recent fish kill, and the cause is still under investigation. Local Life: North Myrtle Beach police reported injuries while breaking up Bike Week disturbances.

Voting Rights & Redistricting: South Carolina Republicans are moving to oust the state’s only Black congressman since 1897, as national fallout from the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act decision fuels a new round of map-drawing fights; House Speaker Mike Johnson says the approach is “fair,” while Democrats and civil-rights advocates warn it could erase Black representation. Lake Greenwood Watch: The state Department of Environmental Services says it has found no link between the Ascend cleanup site near Lake Greenwood and the April fish kill, adding that monitoring and sampling show no impact—while the cause of the kill is still not determined. Wildfire Risk: Crews battled a fast-moving field fire near homes in Florence County, with dry, windy conditions driving rapid spread. Public Safety: Mount Pleasant residents are sharing more alligator sightings as warmer weather ramps up, urging people to stay alert while respecting wildlife. Energy & Industry: TS Conductor opened a $134M aluminum encapsulated carbon core facility in Hardeeville to boost U.S. grid supply capacity.

Wildfire pressure on homes: Crews battled a fast-moving 20–25 acre field fire near homes in Florence County, calling in extra help as dry, windy conditions pushed flames toward residences. Food safety alert: Straus Family Creamery recalled select organic ice cream lots in 17 states, including South Carolina, after possible metal contamination was flagged—no injuries reported, but affected “best by” dates should be discarded. ACE Basin watch: An editorial warns South Carolina’s ACE Basin protections must keep up with rising development pressure, from data centers to proposed infrastructure and power projects. Nuclear opposition grows: Archbishop John Wester urged the NNSA to halt plans to expand plutonium pit production at a public hearing in Santa Fe, calling it immoral and challenging the agency’s nonproliferation claims. Lowcountry heat risk: Forecasts point to dry, summer-like warmth across SC with little rainfall ahead—conditions that can worsen drought and wildfire risk. Local conservation win: Aiken County and the Aiken Land Conservancy dedicated the Dufour Community Forest, adding new protected land to Boyd Pond Park.

Canadys Station Approved: South Carolina regulators unanimously OK’d Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper’s $5B, 2,200-megawatt natural gas plant in the ACE Basin, clearing a major new power and pipeline push—even as environmental groups warn about long-term impacts. Drought Watch: With dry, sunny weather expected to push Upstate temps into the low 90s by the weekend and little rain in sight, officials are bracing for worsening drought and higher wildfire risk. Public Health Leadership: Gov. Henry McMaster named Dr. Brannon Traxler acting director of the SC Department of Public Health after Dr. Edward Simmer left office when he didn’t get Senate confirmation. Lowcountry Wildlife: A viral Mount Pleasant alligator encounter is sparking fresh reminders to respect wildlife during mating season. Road Disruptions: I-85 lanes reopened after a tractor-trailer fire shut down southbound traffic, easing a long backup.

Public Health Shakeup: Gov. Henry McMaster named Dr. Brannon Traxler acting director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health after Dr. Edward Simmer left when lawmakers didn’t confirm him by the session deadline. Energy & Environment: The state Public Service Commission unanimously approved the $5B Canadys Station natural gas plant in Colleton County, despite objections over cost and environmental impacts. Grid Buildout: TS Conductor opened a $134M facility in Hardeeville to produce aluminum encapsulated carbon core conductors, aiming to boost grid capacity for a growing power demand. Heat Watch: Dry, sunny, hotter-than-normal weather is expected to move in across South Carolina this weekend, with drought and wildfire risk concerns lingering. Road Safety: A Myrtle Beach Bike Rally vendor is promoting LED add-on lights to help motorcycles stand out in traffic after another deadly year on SC roads.

AI + Cooling Boom: Airsys Cooling Technologies opened a $60M, 60-acre global headquarters campus in Woodruff, aiming to scale high-efficiency, zero-water cooling for fast-growing AI and data centers, with manufacturing slated for 2027 and 215 new jobs. Energy + Local Impacts: South Carolina regulators approved Dominion and Santee Cooper’s Canadys Station, a 2,200-megawatt natural gas plant in Colleton County—clearing the way for a major new power source while critics warn about environmental and community effects. Drought + Water Stress: Extreme drought is dropping water levels across parts of the state, exposing hazards for boaters and prompting voluntary water restrictions. Wildlife + Ongoing Mystery: Lake Greenwood’s fish kill appears to be over, but the cause still hasn’t been pinned down. Public Health + Leadership Shakeup: Dr. Ed Simmer’s interim role at the Department of Public Health ended after the legislature adjourned, amid years of political controversy. Local Economy + Jobs: Scout Motors opened a $25M training center in Blythewood to prepare workers as production ramps up.

Nuclear Security Win: The U.S. and partners completed removal of highly enriched uranium from Venezuela, with the material shipped to the Savannah River Site in Aiken for disposition—another step to reduce proliferation risk. Drought Pressure on Waterways: Extreme drought has cut South Carolina lake and river levels sharply, exposing debris and stumps that make boating riskier, especially on the Waccamaw and Little Pee Dee. Energy & Environment Clash: South Carolina regulators unanimously approved the Canadys Station gas plant in the ACE Basin area, drawing conservation concerns about impacts and a proposed 71-mile pipeline. Public Health Leadership Shakeup: Dr. Ed Simmer’s interim role ended after lawmakers didn’t confirm him as the session adjourned. Local Nature Access: Piedmont Riverfront Park in Anderson County opened more public access to the Saluda River, including ADA paddling options. Food & Farming Research: Clemson received an $11M grant to develop less climate-impact cotton materials.

Drought Watch: South Carolina’s dry spell is tightening again, with the latest drought monitor showing 75% of the state in extreme drought and the Grand Strand and several counties at 95%–100%, while forecasters warn there’s little rain in the 7-day outlook. PFAS Accountability: The City of Stuart finalized PFAS settlements totaling $3.2M with Tyco and BASF to help fund monitoring, treatment, and compliance for drinking-water protection. Clean Water Spotlight: Georgia’s Lake Hartwell—shared with South Carolina—ranked as the 3rd cleanest lake in the U.S. in a recent water-quality report, a reminder that upstream and cross-border protection matters. Coastal Wildlife: South Carolina’s 2026 sea turtle nesting season has begun, with the first loggerhead nests reported at Edisto Beach State Park and Cape Romain. Energy & Land Use Tension: Residents and environmental groups are pushing back on a proposed Colleton County natural gas plant and 71-mile pipeline tied to the ACE Basin. Tech & Jobs: Figure AI says its humanoid robots just ran full 8-hour autonomous shifts in factory-style sorting—raising the stakes for automation and workforce planning.

Public Safety: A crash that killed Greenwood police officer D.J. Keller is under investigation after officers tried to pull over a Jeep linked to multiple crimes and shootings; the driver was reportedly 15, with two passengers ages 17 and 18. Courts & Justice: South Carolina’s Supreme Court ordered Alex Murdaugh to get a new murder trial after finding prejudicial comments by a court clerk tainted jurors. Environment: South Carolina’s 2026 sea turtle nesting season is underway, with the first loggerhead nests reported at Edisto Beach State Park and Cape Romain. Health Care Resilience: A new report highlights how hospitals can fail during technology downtime—urging drills, checklists, and planning for supplies, people, and systems. Local Government: Lancaster County picked Brian N. Tucker as its next county administrator, starting July 1, 2026. Energy & Industry: TS Conductor opened a Hardeeville plant to boost advanced conductor production for grid capacity. Wildlife Watch: A yellow-legged hornet is quietly spreading in the Southeast, including SC, with Clemson leading the response.

Inclusive Childcare & Accessibility: Busy Bees Playhouse is set to open July 1 in Lexington with a sensory-conscious indoor play space for kids of all abilities, plus open play, birthday parties, and parent gathering areas. Public Health Watch: A nationwide recall is underway for raw pet food sold online—Albright’s Raw Pet Food Chicken Recipe for Dogs—after salmonella was found in an FDA sample (no illnesses reported yet). Local Health Innovation: A South Carolina woman with long-running vertigo says immersive VR therapy in Greer helped her regain stability after years of falls. Infrastructure & Jobs: Airsys opened a new $60 million global headquarters on a 60-acre campus in Woodruff, aiming to support AI/data-center cooling and create 215 jobs, with manufacturing starting in early 2027. Water Quality, From Lake to Tap: Greenwood CPW says it monitors Lake Greenwood raw water daily and finished water hourly, including bacteria checks, as questions linger about the lake’s conditions. Transportation Policy: South Carolina lawmakers finalized a bill to modernize SCDOT, shifting transportation governance under direct gubernatorial control and adding stronger road-repair mandates.

I-77 Toll Lanes Backpedal: Charlotte City Council voted 6-5 to rescind support for the $3.2B I-77 South toll lanes project, leaving the project’s future uncertain and forcing the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization to decide next steps. Community Pushback: Supporters warn stopping could jeopardize funding, while critics say NCDOT didn’t show clear maps or plans when the project was approved in 2024. Local Data Center Tension: In York County, residents met QTS Data to question impacts from a planned nine-building campus—while QTS says it will bring jobs and income. Heat Pressure on Bills: New estimates suggest South Atlantic households, including SC, could see summer electricity costs jump by more than $100 as hotter weather drives higher AC use. Drought Watch: Upstate forecasts bring only light rain chances, with drought relief still limited.

Energy & Affordability: Duke Energy’s proposed gas plant is facing fresh pushback from South Carolina residents, who are demanding more transparency at commissioners meetings. Weather Watch: Forecasters say an El Niño pattern could bring cooler, wetter conditions to the Carolinas—fewer hurricanes, but higher odds of flooding and coastal erosion. Conservation: The Nature Conservancy just bought 4,600+ acres in Horry County, with plans to add parcels to state heritage preserves and eventually open more protected land to the public. Local Infrastructure: MetroConnects opened a new 23-acre Greenville County campus to centralize operations and support future wastewater needs. Wildlife & Community: Folly Beach leaders are set to revisit an ordinance that lets wooden lounge chairs stay overnight in parts of the beach, as sea turtle advocates argue it could disrupt nesting. Statehouse/Politics: Lawmakers are in the final stretch of the session, with attention on whether South Carolina will revisit mid-decade redistricting. Sports (SC ties): The NCAA is urging Division I baseball coaches not to cancel nonconference midweek games to protect tournament positioning.

Historic redevelopment: Mount Holly’s Woodlawn Mill—on the National Register and accepted into North Carolina’s Brownfields Program—will be converted into 61 apartments plus retail, turning a 1907 textile site that shut down in 2002 into new housing. Local transportation fight: Charlotte City Council voted 6-5 to rescind support for the I-77 South toll lane project and asked the regional planning group to vote on full rescission, while also urging NCDOT to pause the work for “due diligence” amid west Charlotte backlash and sustainability concerns. Water quality watch: Lake Greenwood’s fish kill investigation is still underway after reports first surfaced April 13; oxygen depletion and high temperatures were ruled out, and officials say it’s not tied to drinking water sources. Wildlife hazard: In Summerville, plastic landscape netting meant to control erosion is breaking down and trapping wildlife, with rescue volunteers reporting a surge in calls. Energy costs: Dominion Energy lowered its proposed South Carolina electric rate hike to about $12/month (from ~$20) ahead of a May 12 state hearing. Public health: Albright’s Raw Pet Food recalled its Chicken Recipe for Dogs over possible salmonella contamination.

Invasive Species Watch: Washington’s giant Asian “murder hornet” was declared eradicated in 2024, but officials are now sounding the alarm for another hornet—yellow-legged hornets—predatory invaders that can wipe out honeybees and spread through cargo routes, with South Carolina flagged as part of the risk. Endangered Species Spotlight: A week of coverage also highlighted how the U.S. still has hundreds of threatened and endangered species, underscoring how fast losses can stack up. Local Conservation & Growth: Leslie Skardon is pushing sustainability as South Carolina expands, while a new affordable housing project in Columbia shows how communities can renovate without automatically pricing residents out. Coastal Fisheries Fight: Trump’s approval lets South Atlantic states manage recreational red snapper in federal waters, but conservationists and commercial fishers are pushing back, warning it could undermine recovery. Wildfire Risk: Federal forecasts warn above-average significant wildfire potential across the South and West this summer.

In the last 12 hours, South Carolina coverage leaned heavily toward weather and public safety. Multiple reports focused on ongoing rain and the risk of severe storms, including a tornado watch affecting parts of South Carolina (Abbeville, Anderson, Oconee, Pickens) and nearby Georgia counties, with forecasts describing damp conditions and the possibility of stronger storms in the Upstate. Alongside that, there were also local crime and enforcement updates, including a Columbia-area police request for a suspect in an armed robbery of a 92-year-old woman and a separate report about a roadside incident leading to a meth arrest.

Economic and community development stories also appeared prominently. Greenville’s CommunityWorks held its second annual Empower Entrepreneurship event, recognizing local small businesses and community champions. In the business/innovation lane, a partnership announcement described Hartness, Launchpad, and Flywheel Coworking teaming up to build a connected idea-to-IPO startup pipeline across South Carolina and North Carolina, anchored by a planned startup campus in Greenville. Separately, Forest Acres was highlighted for momentum tied to a “string of openings” and redevelopment activity, reinforcing its role as a retail and dining destination.

On the environment and resilience front, the most notable “big picture” item was a warning-style piece arguing that even a “quieter” hurricane season could still cause major damage to the U.S. power grid—emphasizing that infrastructure resilience and repair logistics matter as much as storm counts. That theme connects to broader drought and storm-readiness coverage in the wider week, where rain is described as helpful but not necessarily enough to resolve drought concerns.

Looking beyond the immediate 12-hour window, the coverage shows continuity in two areas: (1) drought and storm preparedness, with multiple references to drought conditions and the need for sustained rainfall, and (2) policy and governance developments in Columbia. For example, the State House Gavel notebook reported that the House began consideration of redistricting and added $300M to an earmark budget list, while other items in the week pointed to state-level shifts that could affect funding and operations. Overall, the most recent reporting is dominated by near-term weather risk and local public-safety updates, while older items provide context on longer-running infrastructure, environmental, and political threads.

In the last 12 hours, coverage in and around South Carolina has been dominated by weather and public-safety updates, alongside a few notable environmental and community items. A tornado watch was issued for multiple Upstate counties (including Abbeville, Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens) with the storm threat described as moving east, while separate reporting also warned of strong to severe storms later in the day/evening. At the same time, drought concerns remain unresolved despite rain—one report notes drought “lingers across the region,” and another describes how much more rainfall would be needed to meaningfully lift drought conditions.

Public safety incidents also featured prominently. The NTSB released preliminary findings on a Huntsville family fatal plane crash, saying investigators have ruled out weather and are now focusing on why the aircraft lost control after refueling; the report also includes details about the crash sequence and that a final report is expected later. In South Carolina, local reporting described a fatal chase-related crash after a Landrum traffic stop, and another update covered a woman accused of biting an employee during a liquor store theft. Separately, authorities reported a suspected dogfighting operation in Chesterfield County where 34 dogs were rescued and multiple people were charged.

Environmental and coastal conservation updates were also among the most time-sensitive items. South Carolina’s sea turtle nesting season is underway: SCDNR reported the first loggerhead sea turtle nests of 2026 found at Edisto Beach State Park and the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, with both nests left undisturbed. The coverage also included broader context on how nesting season runs and why beach lighting and disturbance matter for hatch success.

Beyond immediate local developments, the most consequential policy thread in the recent coverage is political redistricting. South Carolina House Republicans voted to extend the legislative calendar to potentially draw new congressional maps after pressure from the Trump White House, with Democrats attempting to halt the process. This comes alongside broader national legal context in the coverage: the Supreme Court struck down race-based districting and related reporting suggests the ruling reduces the “teeth” of the Voting Rights Act—an issue that could shape how states approach mapmaking going forward.

Finally, the evidence in the most recent 12 hours is comparatively sparse on strictly South Carolina environmental policy beyond drought/sea turtles, but older material provides continuity: earlier reporting also described drought worsening to severe status statewide and highlighted ongoing drought response measures. Overall, the last day’s South Carolina-focused coverage reads as a mix of urgent weather/public-safety updates and early-season coastal wildlife monitoring, with redistricting emerging as the clearest longer-term political development.