The William Bartram GroupServing Greenville, Laurens, Spartanburg, and Union Counties

Explore, enjoy, and protect the planet.

Volume 44, Number 7

The William Bartram Group meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month

(except July) at 255 Enterprise Blvd. Greenville, SC 29615-3577

at 7:30 P.M.–unless otherwise noted.

❧

see web site for directions

http://sierraupstate.org

Bartram BulletinBartram BulletinBartram BulletinBartram BulletinBartram BulletinBartram BulletinBartram BulletinBartram BulletinBartram BulletinBartram BulletinBartram BulletinSeptember 2014

Meeting✽ Tuesday,

September 167:00 P.M.

The Aging of the

Nuclear StateAn Update

Susanne Rhodes

Ron Sobczak

❧

A Call for Leadership and Service

continued on page 2

by Kathleen Kempe

by Trey Fouché

coming in

October

The Aging of the Nuclear StateAn update from the Greenville League of Women Voters and the Bartram Sierra Club

On Tuesday, September 16, 2014, from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M., the Greenville League of Women Voters and the Bartram Sierra Club will present an update on nuclear activities in South Carolina at the University Center (former McAlister Square Shopping Center) 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville 29607.

Susanne Rhodes with the League of Women Voters who prepared Nuclear Waste in SC–an Issue Brief for Citizens will discuss the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear future, the Savannah River Nuclear Site, the nuclear waste fund and proposed international shipments of nuclear waste to SC.

Ron Sobczak, retired professor and currently Chair of the Bartram Sierra Club, will discuss nuclear energy and nuclear waste. He will also talk about the recent court victory for the Sierra Club over violations at Chem-Nuclear. You are encouraged to read the above referenced issue brief at www.lwvsc.org/nuclear.html. And please save the date of Thursday,November 6, 2014 for a follow up presentation on nuclear policy issues we face in South Carolina. We encourage you to become informed and active as SC and the US formulate policies for dealing with our increasing supply of nuclear waste.

I hope you take the time to read Ron Sobczak’s article on the Atlanta Climate Rally and March. His participation (and the participation of six other local Sierra Club members) is a good example of what the Sierra Club is about; grassroots, member-based participa-tion in environmental issues. Additionally, you may recall in last month’s Bartram Bulletin Bob Church men-tioned upcoming transitions for many ExCom members at the end of the year. These retiring ExCom members dedicated signifi cant time and

A Call for Leadership and ServiceComing in October

Bartram members at the Atlanta Climate Rally and March

2

Adopt-a-Highway The remaining date as scheduled by DOT for 2014 is: November 15 Saturday, November 15 • Adopt-a-Highway Join us for the last pick-up of 2014. The Bartram Group won a South Carolina award last year for our work on this program. We have a two mile stretch on East North (also known as) Old Spartanburg Road between Mitchell Road and Brushy Creek. We will meet at 8:00 A.M. at Mitchell Road Elementary School which is on the corner of Mitchell Road and Old Spartanburg Road. If it is pouring rain, we’ll not meet. You will be provided the bags, twisty ties, work gloves, orange safety vests and water. We cover two miles, both sides of the street, and are very fortu-nate to have sidewalks on the entire route. Contact Steve Root at stephenjohn-root@gmail.com for details or to let him know you will join us.

Outingsand Dates to Remember

Nonmembers of the Sierra Club are welcome to join us on our outings. Please call the trip leader to let him/her know that you are going. She/he can then give you a location to meet as well as information on last minute changes. Discuss how

strenuous the trip is, and any health problems you may have of which she/he should be aware. Please, no pets, guns, radios, etc. on hikes. Interested in leading a trip? Call Dennis Chamberlain, (864) 430–3754. In order to participate on one of the Sierra Club’s outings, you will need to sign a liability waiver. If you would like to read a copy of the waiver prior to the outing, please see <http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms> or call (415) 977–5630. In the interests of facilitating the logistics of some outings, it is customary that participants make carpooling arrangements. The Sierra Club does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assumes no liability for them. Carpooling, ride sharing, or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among the participants. Participants assume the risks associated with this travel.

QUALITY OUTDOOREQUIPMENT

Backpacking • ClimbingCanoeing • Kayaking

Cycling • Rentals

1 Center Street • Hwy. 276Travelers Rest, SC 29690

(864) 834-3019Fax: (864) 834-2679

Hours: M-F 10-7, Sat. 9-6Sun. 1-6

www.sunrift.com

“The Unique Outdoor Shop”

by Ron SobczakFrom the ExCom

A Rally for Clean Air and Clean Energy in Atlanta I got an e-mail from the Sierra Club. And actually read it. The SC Chapter of the Sierra Club received grant money to rent a bus to go to Atlanta for the July 29th EPA hearings on the proposed carbon pollution regulations and they wanted warm bodies to fi ll the bus. In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are pollutants under the Clean Air Act and that the EPA must take steps to regulate them based on peer-reviewed research which shows that greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare. The EPA released draft carbon pollution standards (The Clean Power Plan) for current power plants and set up hearings for public comment at each regional offi ce which for South Carolina meant a trip to Atlanta. Power plants account for 40 % of the carbon pollution in the US. Currently, we limit mercury, arsenic, lead, and soot from power plants but not carbon pollution-the key driver of climate disruption. The Clean Power Plan will close that loophole and limit carbon pollution for the fi rst time ever. Nearly half of all Americans will have cleaner air in their communities if strong regulations are put into place and enforced. I could think of a lot of reasons not to spend a day on a bus. But then I thought of a few reasons why I should. The environment is something I have worked to protect for years. And these regulations are important. They are the fi rst ever attempt by the US to seriously deal with a source of climate disruption. I love the outdoors and I want the air to be clean and safe whether I am at home or out hiking. I am retired and I have the time. So why not. Years ago, I got on a bus and registered voters for the Bobby Kennedy presidential campaign. Some 45 years later, I still have the desire to get involved and participate in the democratic process. I just have not given up. I am only one volunteer but Sierra Club works because many volunteers step up and support the environment. I was impressed that seven Bartram Group Sierra Club members joined many other volunteers from around the southeast for this important event. My wife and I got on the bus with a group from Greenville and Asheville. There were buses heading to Georgia from Tennessee and Kentucky as well. When we got to the rally in downtown Atlanta, we got T-shirts and signs. We heard from politicians from Atlanta who talked about the need to clean up the air. We heard speeches by former civil rights

and talents to the Bartram Group over the past two decades. The beginning of 2015 brings a signifi cant leader-ship void for the group. Therefore, in October, our monthly meeting will be an organizational meeting to discuss the plan forward for our local group. Bartram Sierra is only as effective as its volunteers and we need volunteers to remain a strong, vibrant group. Please attend and help us stay active. ❧

A Call for Leadership, continued

continued on page 3

OTHER AREA EVENTSSunrift Adventures • Mini ClinicsThis spring, summer, and fall Sunrift Adventures is hosting a series of in-store mini clinics and demos at

Paris Mountain State Park and the Saluda river. To learn more please call (864) 834-3019 or visit the website Sunrift.com and click on “Schedule” below “Out and About” at the bottom of the home page and then #4.

3

Dennis ChamberlainGeneral Practice • Emphasis on Bankruptcy, Financial and Business Issues819 East North Street, Greenville, SC 29601; (864) 331–3069wdchamberlainlaw@greenvillelaw.net

Frank J. Dana III, CELACertified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation

Upstate Elder Law, P.A. Wills and Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Guardianships and

Conservatorships, Estate Administration, Special Needs Trusts

15 Brendan Way, Suite 215, Greenville, SC 29615; (864) 288–7631www.UpstateElderLaw.com; info@UpstateElderLaw.com

Tom Dudley • Kenison, Dudley & Crawford, LLCConstruction and Business Law704 East McBee Avenue, Greenville, SC 29601; (864) 242–4899 tom@conlaw.com

Ronald A. MaxwellWith Emphasis on Personal Injury and On the Job Injuries225 Chesterfield Street, NW Aiken, SC 29801; (803)641–6700516 West Avenue, North Augusta, South Carolina 29861(803) 202–1100; maxwell@maxwellawfirm.com

Don PilzerSocial Security Disability only300 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601; (800) 518–0234don@donpilzer.com

Andrew PoliakoffWorkers compensation claims and auto accidents152 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306; (864) 583–8212andrewpoliakoff@bellsouth.net

Gary W. PoliakoffRepresenting Victims of Personal Injury and Toxic Exposure and Contaminated Property • We represent no violators of environmental law. Website: gpoliakoff.com215 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306; (864) 582–5472atty@gpoliakoff.com

LawyersSupporting the Environment

191 Halton RoadGreenville, SC

(864) 987–0618www.appoutfitters.com

Mon.–Fri. 10–7, Sat. 10–5

Sierra Club Members10% off your purchase

✍ Deadline for October bulletin is Friday, September 19

Send your submissions to wbartramnews@gmail.com

—John Ruskin

Nature is painting

for us,

day after day,

pictures of infinite

beauty

if only we have the

eyes to see them.

activists who explained that cleaning up the air is as important as the civil right issues of the 60’s. It turns out there are a lot more of us old activists than I thought. And we are all looking pretty good. Being involved in envi-ronment issues must be good for you. As I looked around at the crowd, I was impressed with the demographic mix of the crowd: Young and old, and very racially and ethnically mixed. There were also many faith based groups. One just did not see many minorities or religious organizations in the early years of the environmental movement. Now the concept of envi-ronmental justice has taken hold. Environmental issues are definitely more mainstream and I was greatly encouraged by the diversity of the group. We then marched to the EPA hearings, waving signs and chanting. And quite frankly, we were having fun. This is how we bring about change in this country. EPA did a great job of setting up the hearings. There were two huge rooms. Everyone who wanted to speak had a chance to sign up for 5 min-utes or could submit a written comment. Since there were people on our bus who had late evening time slots, we were there for the whole day. And I was never bored. The comments were well prepared and well delivered for the most part. Both sides were respectful. If numbers mean anything, there were more yellow “beyond coal” T-shirts in the audience than “suits”. But I know that the Koch brothers are involved in fighting these regulations and will do what they can to insure that coal continues to be burnt with little regulation. Some of the highlights for me from the comments are as follows:• A 4th generation coal miner told us that mining coal was no way to earn a living. He said that coal advocates never talk about the health toll on the families who work the mines and live in the polluted environment. He said there is no reason why we should burn coal to keep lights on when there is no one in the room. Efficiency is low hanging fruit and is an important part of the new regulations.• A young man from a strong religious background said that he does his part but that the government needs to step up to the plate and do its part to regulate carbon.• A doctor spoke about the need for less carbon pollution. He said he never needs to check the official air quality index because he can tell by the number of office visits and patient phone calls. You still have time to submit your comments to EPA-go to their web page for details. And I hope you will consider getting on the bus to New York on Sept. 20 for the Climate March and Rally in front of the U.N.

Climate Summit. Power to the people! ❧

4

SIERRA CLUBWilliam Bartram GroupP.O. Box 5923Greenville, SC 29606–5923(803) 256–8487

Spartanburg ContactChip Green(864) 579-0164; jwgmaps@gmail.com

Non-Profi t Org.U. S. Postage Paid

Greenville, SCPermit No. 1011

printed on recycled paper

Address ChangesFor subscription inquiries and address changes, contact Sierra Club Member Services, PO Box 52968, Boulder, CO 80328-2968. Send old and new addresses and a Sierra label. Or e-mail changes to <address.changes@sierraclub.org>.

Join Us On FacebookThe Bartram Group of the Sierra Club – Upstate, SC

The Green SpotSharing the Green

1. Programmable ThermostatsProgrammable thermostats can potentially save buyers up to $180 a year. A thermostat, however, will only save you money if you program it. “Smart” thermostats are now available with motion sensors that help do the work of detecting and setting the temperature in your home.2. Interior LightingBy now, everyone knows that incandescent bulbs are out–as of Janu-ary, 2014. Currently, there are three choices to replace them: halogen-incandescents, CFLs, and LEDs. There’s a lot of junk out there, so don’t waste your money. Stick with brands you know and trust. Read the labels to narrow your choices by temperature and color, which has nothing to do with wattage. Chose “daylight” for a cool tone and “soft white” for warm. The Department of Energy estimates that consumers will save between $6 billion and $10 billion a year in lighting costs.3. Power Strip“Smart” power strips, about $20, can also save you money. They are color-coded and designed to reduce usage by shutting down power to products that go into standby mode. Most feature three outlet col-ors. The blue outlet serves as a control plug, and is ideal for your TV. Anything plugged into red outlets stay on, for example, your satellite box. The remaining outlets, usually green, cut off when the blue outlet shuts off. You should start to see a payback in about a year.

send your “green” submissions to: wbartramnews@gmail.com

3 Energy and Money Saving

Devices

Jean L. WilderMaster of Landscape Architecture864-561-0794jeanwilder.com

Crea

tive L

ands

cape

Desi

gns

Residential Design

Ecological Restoration

Native Plants

Environmental Design

Commercial Design

Plantnative plants.

Seven Bartram members (along with members from Columbia and Asheville) traveled to Atlanta for a rally to support the EPA’s new regulations regard-ing its carbon rules. Thanks to Pat Farrelly, Debbie Thomas, Norm Sharp, Kathryn Muller, Ron Sobczak, Kathleen Kempe and Craig Stine.

Volunteers In Action