By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | The author of a new book exploring environmental policy from local governments to the federal level says climate change is becoming a “mobilizing issue” for 2020 voters.
“People are starting to actually vote (on climate change issues),” Matt Nowlin told Statehouse Report. “Will environmental issues become something that people actually vote on? Because it hasn’t historically been the case.”
Nowlin recently published Environmental Policymaking in an Era of Climate Change, a book he said he hopes everyone from political science students to 2020 presidential candidates will read. He called it a place to start in addressing “one of the greatest challenges we have ever faced.”
The book explores the existing and dynamic “green state,” the network of rules and regulations that exist from the federal government all the way down to local governments. He said since 2016, more states have been stepping up on climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.
“There’s a lot of precedent for states to take a leadership role,” he said. “Since the 2016 election, it has been the states and local governments where the action is on climate.”
Nowlin cited California as a leader in many environmental issues, and said New York state is looking at similar climate-change policies.
While South Carolina has not enacted sweeping climate-change policies at the state level, Nowlin said there are a few bright spots in the state, including the new South Carolina Floodwater Commission.
“That’s exactly the kind of thing we should be doing,” he said. “The question then comes with the follow through and the pace.”
He also highlighted the work being done by municipalities like Charleston on adapting to rising sea levels.
“The Charleston sea level rise strategy is, in terms of what’s happening in South Carolina, one of the strongest plans being done,” he said.
Nowlin said South Carolina could better mitigate climate change by enacting renewable energy mandates as part of the state’s energy portfolio. He said offshore wind energy should play a big factor.
Nowlin said he hopes his book offers answers on “why action is difficult but, on a hopeful note, that action is still possible because there are multiple ways and multiple levels of government in which people can and should engage.”
In other news:
Drinking water threatened. The State Rural Infrastructure Authority this week told lawmakers the state needs to spend $2 billion to repair aging drinking water pipes that threaten public health. Read more.
Special session gavels in June 25. State lawmakers on Tuesday will reconvene to address gubernatorial vetoes. There aren’t many vetoes to address, and most are small. See our previous coverage here.
Racial justice group takes over July 10 rally at Statehouse. For the last three years, July 10 has been a day for Confederate flag supporters to rally at the Statehouse. But four years after the Confederate flag was removed from its grounds, the Statehouse will be home to a rally of Columbia group Showing Up for Racial Justice. Read more.
Public records access survey released. How much does it cost to access public records at 35 state agencies and how long does it take?Gov. Henry McMaster and S.C. Inspector General Brian Lamkin this week released a survey that explored those questions. McMaster issued an executive order, directing 18 agencies to strengthen their public records practices in regards to the survey. See the survey results here.
House Speaker vows more education focus in 2020. House Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Hartsville, spoke with multiple media outlets this week and said that while his major education overhaul was stalled in 2019, he is planning more legislation in 2020, including expanding pre-kindergarten schooling in rural areas. Read more.
2020 candidate calendar
Throughout the campaign season, we are working to keep South Carolina informed of candidate events in the state. Have an event you want us to know about? Email us at 2020news@statehousereport.com. In the coming days:
- Clyburn’s World Famous Fish Fry: Many of the Democrats vying for the presidential nomination will stop in at Congressman James Clyburn’s annual World Famous Fish Fry June 21. It’s free and open to the public. More information here.
- State Democratic Convention: On June 22, the S.C. Democratic Party will have its annual state convention. At least 19 of the 23 declared Democratic presidential hopefuls are signed up to speak. Read more.
- Planned Parenthood abortion forum: On June 22, 11 Democratic presidential hopefuls will participate in Planned Parenthood Action Fund forum, which will start at 10 a.m. at the University of South Carolina campus. Read more.
Individual candidate events:
- Buttigieg: South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg will hold a town hall 5 p.m. June 22 at Maude Edenfield Park in North Augusta.
- Hickenlooper: Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper will hold a roundtable discussion on gun reform 10 a.m. June 22 at Cafe Strudel in Columbia, and a meet-and-greet 4:30 p.m. June 22 at Hunter-Gatherer Brewery in Columbia. The following day, he will speak at Brookland Baptist Church 11 a.m. June 23 in West Columbia.
- Moulton: Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton will attend a church service 10 a.m. June 23 at Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Spartanburg.
- Sanders: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, will hold a rally at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 23 at Clinton College in Rock Hill.
Looking ahead
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