DHEC Environmental eNews

May 2023 | {View as Webpage}

This monthly electronic newsletter from DHEC's Environmental Affairs will keep our customers and stakeholders informed of important events, legislation, meetings, permitting information, and compliance information.

Dam Safety Awareness Day

The U.S. dam safety community utilizes the anniversary of the Johnstown Flood to recognize the roles dams play in our communities and the critical need to maintain dams to minimize risks from failure. DHEC’s dam safety program has been recognized as national leaders in the use of innovative strategies to collect data and share information on South Carolina dams.

The data collected from drone flights, bathymetric surveys, and modeling not only is used by Dam Safety in decision-making but can also provide valuable data to the public to further understanding and visualization of dam safety issues in South Carolina.

Greenhouse Gas Standards and Guidelines for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing Clean Air Act emission limits and guidelines for carbon dioxide (CO₂) from fossil fuel-fired power plants based on cost-effective and available control technologies. The proposals would set limits for new gas-fired combustion turbines, existing coal, oil and gas-fired steam generating units, and certain existing gas-fired combustion turbines.

Click here for additional information.

New Board Chairwoman

DHEC welcomes Seema Shrivastava-Patel as chairwoman of the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control. Shrivastava-Patel assumed the position following confirmation by the state Senate earlier this month.

Shrivastava-Patel is a first-generation American of Indian heritage, and she becomes the first woman of color to serve as DHEC’s board chairwoman. She has served on the board representing Congressional District 2 for over five years and served as Vice-Chair in her most recent role. Shrivastava-Patel has a 20-year career in the convenience and food service industry.

Congaree River Cleanup Update

The second year of cleanup at the Congaree River Sediment Site is underway. Workers have mobilized and they will be installing a berm in the center of the Area 1 Cofferdam which will aid in dewatering behind the cofferdam. They will also be sealing any areas on the inside of the cofferdam where water may be seeping through. By mid-May, removal activities will begin. As material is removed, it will be examined for any Civil War artifacts or munitions. To maximize production, the site will operate six days a week, but no trucks will be hauling material on Saturdays. Weather permitting, the Area 1 cofferdam is expected to be completed this summer.

Air Quality Permitting Transition to ePermitting

Air permitting is currently transitioning to ePermitting. Once the system goes live, there will be a grace period of 6 months before paper applications are no longer accepted. In the meantime, be aware of the following changes to paper application submittals:

Submit only one copy of a paper application
Modeling files should be emailed directly to Gregory Quina at quinags@dhec.sc.gov

Please note once applications are submitted through ePermitting, requests for additional information or corrections to forms will be made through ePermitting. Enabling email notifications will notify users if there is a request for corrections and reminders of due dates. Facility review of permit documents will continue to be sent via email.

Please visit https://scdhec.gov/ePermitting for helpful training resources. From there, you can access ePermitting by clicking “ePermitting Portal” under Downloads & Links or visit https://epermweb.dhec.sc.gov for direct access.

If you have any questions, please contact the Bureau of Air Quality, Air Permitting Division by calling (803) 898-4123.

Join Our Team!

As the state agency charged with promoting and protecting South Carolina's public health and environment, DHEC has a legacy of attracting and retaining talented individuals who want to build rewarding and successful careers. DHEC's Environmental Affairs employs a wide range of environmental professionals from engineers and geologists to inspectors and meteorologists.

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