Reader implores state to use surplus to ensure our drinking water is safe to consume
Protect water now
Clean drinking water is the basis of good health. You can eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, but if the water you’re drinking is contaminated then your health will still be compromised.
Per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging contaminants that are being found in drinking water throughout South Carolina. PFAS have been linked to cancer, immune system harm, and pregnancy complications and, yet, there is nothing being done to make sure that they are not in our drinking water.
I recently learned that the water system that serves my home in Conway has detected these chemicals in its water sources. It is simply unacceptable for South Carolina to wait for the EPA to lead on this issue. Something needs to be done now.
The state has unprecedented amounts of money to spend. Shouldn’t the health of South Carolinians be paramount when it comes to deciding how that money is spent?
Barbara Sloan, Conway
Improve nuclear safety
As we follow the news about Ukraine with sorrow and fear, we are reminded of the dangers of nuclear power and the connection to nuclear war. The control of nuclear plants by Russian forces has raised fears of a nuclear disaster.
Unfortunately South Carolina is also vulnerable to nuclear disasters. We have seven operating nuclear reactors in addition to a fuel fabrication facility and a nuclear weapons plant.
There are concerns that the Duke Energy Oconee Nuclear Plant in Seneca lacks adequate protection from a major flooding event or an earthquake.
We have an opportunity to lessen the threat of nuclear meltdown by improving the safety of nuclear power plants and transitioning to clean renewable energy and energy efficiency; however, even with improved safety features, the threat of a nuclear meltdown at nuclear power plants is similar to the threat of nuclear war.
Priscilla Preston, Columbia
Scout assesses war
I am a Life Scout with B.S.A Troop 200, and I would like to give my opinion about what is going on in Ukraine.
I think Russia is invading Ukraine because they have been losing power ever since the end of World War II. It is my belief that to regain power, Vladimir Putin is trying to capture the states of the former Soviet Union in hopes of reassembling them, starting with Ukraine.
By doing this, he believes Russia will regain power by becoming bigger and stronger.
My thought is if Putin does reform what was the former Soviet Union, he will try to attack NATO countries. I believe that even if NATO tries to stop him now, it will probably be the beginning of World War III.
John J. Check, Lady’s Island
No to rebate
There appears to be much discussion these days in the S.C. state legislature regarding the best use of funds made available by federal Covid-related largesse and settlements of legal actions which benefit this state.
One of the proposals being promoted by our Republican majority legislators and governor is an income tax rebate which, from my viewpoint, is merely a political ploy for votes in the upcoming mid-term elections.
I generally identify with Republican values but submit they could help the populace more by taxing all residential real property at the 4% assessment ratio, thereby promoting affordable housing.
Ed Billings, West Columbia