During National Safe Boating Week, the Safe Boating Council hopes to spread the message of safe and responsible boating by providing educational resources and emphasizing the importance of wearing a life jacket while on the water. We could not agree more, and we hope boaters will use the days leading up to Memorial Day weekend to reacquaint themselves with the proper safety guidelines.

Before you even head out for the water, South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources recommends the following:

• Fill out a DNR Float Plan and share it with someone dependable.
• Check the weather.
• Let someone know where you’re headed.
• As you gather your lifesaving devices, make sure they are in good condition and sized correctly for every passenger (children especially).
• Check the boat’s fuel and battery charge.
• Make sure all lights on the boat and trailer are in good working condition.
• Make sure the fire extinguisher is in good condition and readily accessible.
• Put the plug in.
• Connect the trailer’s safety chains to the tow vehicle.
• Carry a mobile phone if possible.

Before you’ve launched from one of the many public boat ramps on Lakes Marion and Moultrie, we encourage you to familiarize yourself and your passengers with these safety tips:

• Don’t operate the boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Wear your personal floatation device (PFD) at all times; children should wear PFDs anytime they’re near water, not just on the boat.
• Keep an eye on the weather. Check for boating and weather advisories.
• Avoid standing in the boat. If you must, stand in the center of the boat and hold onto the gunnels on both sides.
• Know the boat’s capacity. Do not overload.
• Do not boat or ski through swimming areas.
• Observe all markers and buoys, especially the no-wake zones around marinas and congested areas.
• Use marked navigation channels whenever possible, and stay alert at all times.
• Do not tie off to channel markers.
• Use extreme caution when navigating outside of marked channels.
• There’s plenty of room on the Santee Cooper Lakes for everyone to enjoy them. Fishermen should avoid anchoring in open channels. Water-skiers should not spray fishermen and other boats.
• Never swim alone, no matter how experienced you are.
• Swim only in designated areas. When outside of these areas, stay close to shore and keep an eye out for boats and skiers.
• Visit our website for additional boating safety tips.

Our website also has information on using the lakes’ 162-mile navigation system and the Pinopolis Lock on Lake Moultrie. If you plan to travel through the lock, remember to call ahead (843-899-LOCK) whenever possible. We have additional recreation and vacation resources, as well.

Laws on Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie are enforced by SCDNR. In case of an emergency, dial 911 or Operation Game Thief at 800-922-5431, Channel 16 VHF-FM Marine Radio, or CB Channel 9. Local sheriffs’ departments can be reached at the following:

• Berkeley Co. Sheriff’s Dept. – 843-719-4412
• Calhoun Co. Sheriff’s Dept. – 803-874-2454
• Clarendon Co. Sheriff’s Dept. – 803-435-4414
• Orangeburg Co. Sheriff’s Dept. – 803-531-4647
• Sumter Co. Sheriff’s Dept. – 843-436-2774

We want everyone to enjoy their time on the Santee Cooper Lakes, so please follow these safety guidelines before and after you launch. For the latest lake levels and additional information, call 1-800-92-LAKES. Have a safe and fun boating season!

The Interpretive Center (Photo by Jim Huff)

Ahh, the sounds of summer:  pools splashing, jump ropes skipping, children laughing and singing.  Until Day 3, when all you can hear is the screams of “I’m bored” from the back yard.

What you need is a good assortment of camps to put summer back on track.

Santee Cooper’s Old Santee Canal Park can help. They offer several day camps for ages 6-15, each a week long, that put the laugh back in summer. Led by park staff, the camps offer a variety of activities that keep children of all ages engaged and entertained.

Got a history buff on your hands? The Hunt for History camp puts together a series of field trips that explore history at the area plantations, Patriots Point, and other locations peppered with past pursuits.

The Junior Naturalist camp is a more traditional nature camp with science activities, crafts and some field trips.

There’s even something for younger teens. Sandlapper Teens Camp features activities at the park, with its four miles of boardwalks and other opportunities to explore, and also field trips. One highlight is a backstage look at the sea turtle hospital at the South Carolina Aquarium.

Camps begin in early June — just in time to ward off that first “I’m bored.” Happy summer!

Sea turtle nesting season began May 1 and lasts until Oct. 1. You may see volunteers combing the beaches in the mornings (if you’re up that early!) to look for turtle tracks and new nests. The volunteers are with South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts (SCUTE); they are permitted by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources to protect and, if necessary, relocate turtle nests as well as record turtle deaths through the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network.

On average, SCUTE records over 100 loggerhead nests with more than 12,000 eggs along Horry-Georgetown beaches. Volunteers estimate that about 70 percent of the eggs hatch. A limited number of hatchlings reach adulthood, which takes about 30 years.

The odds of survival are pretty low, which is why Santee Cooper has partnered with SCUTE to help raise awareness about sea turtles and what you can do to help them have a better chance at survival.

It’s easy to do our part to help the sea turtles that nest along South Carolina’s beaches survive and thrive. You should turn off outdoor and indoor beachfront lights at night so turtles don’t get scared away from nesting and hatchlings don’t get disoriented on their way to the ocean. Be sure to fill in holes in the sand and take umbrellas, chairs and toys from the beach when you leave. You can get more tips and information on our website.

Be a sea turtle supporter and get your very own “Lights Out! Sea Turtles Dig the Dark” bumper sticker by stopping by one of Santee Cooper’s nine retail offices. Also, be sure to like Santee Cooper’s Facebook page and the South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts’ (SCUTE) Facebook page to follow updates on the sea turtle protection program.

Well, if that’s a mouthful, it was also apparently too big of a project for the the state of Indiana to chew, as the exorbitant costs and cheaper alternatives are the cause of the project’s cancellation. The question that was asked was, “Why do we need to produce an expensive gas from coal where natural gas is available for such a cheap price?” And there it is again, natural gas to the rescue!

It was not very long ago that the environmental community was pushing very hard for all new coal plants to have IGCC technology, even though the phase shift to hydrogen was not yet completely developed, so that there would be a future for CO2 sequestration. This technology is still not yet proven, and projects like this one and others are being canceled across the country because of high costs and the availability of low cost natural gas.

I wrote a blog earlier this year that discussed how cheap and abundant natural gas has lowered U.S. CO2 to 1992 levels and at the same time increased electrical output. Cheap gas will continue to do the same and take out costly projects that were intended to lower CO2. The U.S. and the industry did it the easy way – let the market decide.

Santee Cooper uses EPA-approved herbicides in battling aquatic weeds. Spraying is done on foot, by truck and helicopter. (Photo by Jim Huff)

In addition to our role as an electric and water utility, we are stewards of lakes Marion and Moultrie, commonly known as the Santee Cooper Lakes, which span more than 450 miles of shoreline and occupy over 160,000 acres in Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg and Sumter counties. When work began on these man-made reservoirs in 1939, it represented the largest land-clearing project in U.S. history.

In the decades following their impoundment, the Santee Cooper lakes have become one of the region’s most cherished freshwater resources and a popular recreational destination. We understand and appreciate how passionate people are about lakes Marion and Moultrie, and we don’t like it when something gets in the way of enjoying them. In recent years, our Analytical and Biological Services (ABS) unit has been engaged in a fight against a trio of pesky plants that are threatening the lakes’ native habitat and exasperating boaters and leaseholders alike.

We’ve been dealing with the invasive hydrilla for over 30 years, but we have a pretty good handle on it. Water hyacinth was introduced into the lakes system in the early ’90s and is fairly easy to control, but a mild winter has helped it thrive. What’s especially problematic about water hyacinth is it’s taken to growing atop of our lakes’ newest and most stubborn nuisance plant, crested floating heart. Crested floating heart has proven difficult to control, and its presence has more than doubled over the past three years thanks in part to the protection from herbicides it gets from water hyacinth.

Memorial Day is drawing near, which means the unofficial start to the boating season on the Santee Cooper Lakes is approaching. As such, ABS will be taking to the skies beginning next week to conduct helicopter treatments of EPA-herbicides targeting water hyacinth in Upper Lake Marion. These herbicide applications should improve lake access, restore recreational opportunities and help prevent the spread of water hyacinth to other areas within the lakes. To notify boaters of our spray operations, we’ll have employees posted at the boat landings located near the targeted locations and patrolling the waters around the spray sites.

Aerial herbicide treatments are just one of the methods we use to control non-native aquatic vegetation in the Santee Cooper Lakes system. We remain vigilant in our role as stewards of lakes Marion and Moultrie, but we can’t do it without your help. Don’t hesitate to contact ABS at 843-761-4078 to report any nuisance vegetation you spot on the water. Thanks, and stay safe on the water.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 7, at 6 p.m., at our retail office in Conway, located at 100 Elm Street. The plant formally ceased operating Dec. 31, after being a dependable source of electric power for us and the electric cooperatives since entering commercial operation way back in 1966.

As part of our decommissioning process for Grainger, we submitted a proposal to close the two ash ponds to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on March 18, and DHEC held a public hearing on April 23.

A coal-fired generating station isn’t something you just close the doors to, dismantle or walk away from. There are, quite properly, requirements and responsibilities that go with decommissioning a plant. Our plan, as proposed to DHEC, calls for the construction of a cap and vault that will encapsulate the ash. It is a proven technology, and sound from an engineering standpoint.

As has been our practice throughout our history, we are working to meet many interests when undertaking such a large project. The environment, public health and safety, sustainability, feasibility and cost to ratepayers are the primary considerations.

Not everyone agrees with this plan, and as you may know, litigation is ongoing. While special interest groups have made their voices heard, at the end of the day, it is our customers who will ultimately bear the cost of closing Grainger. That’s why we want to hear from you and what you have to say. We hope to see you in Conway on May 7.

Last week, some of our customers (mainly small businesses) were targets of scammers saying they were Santee Cooper employees. These scammers were out to steal customers’ money by telling them their electricity would be cut off if immediate payment arrangements were not made.

I’ve seen and heard of this type of thing happening over the phone, but this scammer (or scammers) was bold enough to actually show up at a customer’s business and demand payment, posing as a Santee Cooper employee.

If someone comes to your business or home and says they are a Santee Cooper employee, give us a call to verify they are who they say they are. Don’t allow anyone into your home or business to check electrical wiring or appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or have reported a problem to us. And don’t be afraid to ask for proper identification.

You can do the same thing with someone who calls. Hang up and call us to verify them. Never provide your social security number, credit card number or banking information to anyone requesting it over the phone, online, or at your home or business unless you initiated the contact and feel confident with whom you are speaking.

Remember, though, these scammers are savvy. They could give you a phone number to call and have someone on the other end of the line tell you it’s Santee Cooper. Instead, always call Santee Cooper at one of these numbers — 843-347-3399 in Horry or Georgetown counties or 843-761-8000 in Berkeley County — to verify whether an employee was trying to contact you.

We all need to remember to listen to that little voice in our heads, the one that tells you something isn’t right. Always think safety first, and do not give in to high pressure tactics over the phone for information or in person to get into your home or business.

Here are our numbers again: 843-347-3399 in Horry or Georgetown counties, or 843-761-8000 in Berkeley County.

Time is ticking though: today is the final day to request an information packet for our Spring 2013 Mini-Bond sale, which continues through April 30. 

Santee Cooper Mini-Bonds are an opportunity for investors of all sizes to invest in South Carolina, and the proceeds from the sale of these municipal bonds help Santee Cooper continue to provide South Carolina with low-cost and reliable electricity.

Investors can get in for as little as $200, with a maximum per-individual purchase of $50,000. That opens the door to a wide cut of the population, let’s face it.

The Mini-Bonds are tax-exempt, too, which means that they’re exempt from federal and South Carolina income taxes for South Carolina residents under current law. See what kind of difference that makes by checking out this Mini-Bond calculator.

Who can buy them? Lots of us. Residents of South Carolina, Santee Cooper customers, members of the state’s electric cooperatives, electric customers of the city of Georgetown and electric customers of the Bamberg Board of Public Works.

There are a couple of options too – 2013 Series M1 Capital Appreciation Bonds, with a minimum purchase of $200 and interest paid when the bonds mature, or 2013 Series M1 Current Interest Bearing Bonds, with a $500 minimum purchase and interest paid semiannually.

Investors can purchase Mini-Bonds directly from Santee Cooper by ordering bonds online at www.scminibonds.com or by calling toll-free 1-877-246-3338 to request information or order forms. A fact sheet with the different bonds and interest rates is available here. Or you can check out the FAQ here.

via http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyeweed

The old saying goes “April showers bring May flowers,” but they can also bring mosquitos. The combination of warmer temperatures and seasonal rainfall creates ideal conditions for mosquitos to thrive, which is why our Vector Management program has begun its annual mosquito treatments for areas in Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon and Orangeburg counties.

Specifically, Vector Management patrols and treats the subdivisions around lakes Marion and Moultrie. Santee Cooper leaseholders can request mosquito services online by visiting www.santeecooper.com/mosquitocontrol. The site includes updates for scheduled mosquito treatments, information about Santee Cooper’s Vector Management operations and an online form that helps us target mosquito breeding sites and problem areas.

We typically spray around 60,000 acres annually by truck for adult mosquito control and about 300 acres for larval control in Santee Cooper subdivisions. The chemicals used in spraying processes are EPA-approved, and employees who spray are licensed with the South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation.

About 50 species of mosquito inhabit the area surrounding lakes Marion and Moultrie. Depending on rainfall, the prime season for mosquitoes can begin as early as March and typically ends in November. Adult mosquitoes are most active 30 minutes before and after sunrise and 30 minutes before and after sunset.

Mosquitos often use stagnant water as breeding sites, so the most effective way to control the mosquito population around your home is to remove any sources of stagnant water. Common sources include birdbaths, flowerpots, buckets, old tires, pet bowls, sagging or plugged roof gutters, and inlets to sewers and drainage systems.

Mosquito control is actually one of the oldest programs we have at Santee Cooper, and it was instrumental in alleviating the threat of malaria around the Santee Cooper Lakes. Today that mission continues with Vector Management’s efforts to control disease-bearing mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis and other vector-borne illnesses.

So, help us beat back these pesky, painful pests by removing any sources of stagnant water from your property. And if you’re a Santee Cooper leaseholder who’s been having some problems with mosquitos, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Current is a monthly email that offers customers relevant information consisting of topics like energy saving tips that can save you money on your bill, rebates information, Santee Cooper news, Green Power Events and more.

Current is opt-in only, which means you need to sign up to receive them. By opting in, you also will be added to our monthly drawing for a prize. Winners will be drawn by the 10th of each month, and prizes range from gas cards, restaurant certificates, general gift certificates and more. Winners will be notified by telephone, mail or email.

We only need one thing from you to get started: your email address. Sign up now by sending your email address and account number to customercare@santeecooper.com. You can also stop by one of our nine retail offices or give us a call at 843-347-3399 ext. 3093 in Horry and Georgetown counties or 843-761-8000 ext. 3093 in Berkeley County during our regular business hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Please keep in mind the drawing is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

At Santee Cooper, we have a lot of excellent energy-saving and money-saving initiatives for customers through the Reduce The Use program. Need a new heat pump? We’ve got a rebate for that. How about a new water heater? Yep, we’ve got a rebate for that, too. As a matter of fact, we have a ton of rebates for energy-efficient upgrades to your home or business. We even offer loans for energy-efficient upgrades.

It’s true, though, there are some fine-print details and qualifications customers must meet in order to be able to take advantage of these programs.

That’s where Santee Cooper’s Trade Allies come in to play. Santee Cooper Trade Allies are a group of experienced service contractors, tradesmen and builders who know have studied Santee Cooper’s Reduce The Use programs and can help you with your project from start to finish.

Trade Allies participate in specialized trainings at Santee Cooper to learn the ins, outs and in-betweens for each Reduce The Use initiative. They are able to provide technical support and can assist you with the applications and/or installations of energy-efficient equipment for commercial, residential and institutional buildings. In other words, our Trade Allies know the programs and can guide you through the fine print.

Plus, in order to be a Trade Ally, they have to be licensed, insured and complete ongoing education and certifications.

The best part? They know the fine print and can help you with the details.

Believe it or not, there’s actually some fine print regarding this blog. Here we go:

The list of Trade Allies is provided as an informational source only. The publication or sharing of this list should not be considered, in any way, to be an endorsement, recommendation or promotion, either expressed or implied, of any of the trade allies listed thereon. Trade allies are approved frequently, so please check back often for an updated list.