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• 8/2: Brown again votes against environment
  

Sept. 1, 2001 -- South Carolina's major utilities say they question a plan by U.S. Rep. Henry Brown to study building nuclear power plants at U.S. Energy Department facilities.

According to an Aug. 24 report in The State, Brown included the call for a study in the federal energy bill approved by the House in July.

A critic says the proposal shows Brown earned his repeated low environmental ratings from the Sierra Club.

Opening DOE grounds to new nuclear plants, if ever approved, would make the 200,000-acre Savannah River Site near Aiken, S.C., become a viable host.

"My amendment didn't name the Savannah River Site, but I hope the study will explore the possibility of using it for nuclear power plants," Brown told The State.

The story added that SCANA Corp., Progress Energy and Duke Energy, the state's three largest investor-owned utilities, didn't think much of Brown's idea -- that "SRS is hardly an ideal site for a nuclear power plant."

Brown critic Andy Brack said Brown's proposal was another reflection of the congressman's lack of touch with the people of the state.

"Haven't we done enough of our fair share in the nuclear business? Henry Brown again proved he earned his 14 rating from Sierra Club. He's as harmful to the environment as Three Mile Island."

IN OTHER NEWS, Brown has picked up a Republican challenger for the 2002 elections. Bob Batchelder, a grocery manager from Horry County who ran as a Reform Party candidate against Brown in 2000, now says he'll run as a Republican for the seat in 2002.

Among the reasons he's challenging Brown:

Campaign Finance Reform. "Contrary to my opponent, I will support the Shays ­Meehan Finance Reform bill presently in Congress. Until we limit the amount of money being pumped into campaigns the people will never have a voice. It is getting to the point where only the very wealthy can begin to think about running for office."

Trade Agreements. “I favor the renegotiation of international trade agreements to make them fair. I also believe we should not grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations at this time but revert back to a yearly review. Too many of our agreements favor multinational corporations to the detriment of our manufacturing and textile industries here at home. These positions are what set Henry Brown and I apart.”

Junkets and integrity. “I am displeased that our present Congressman has seen fit to tour the world at the taxpayers expense. Years ago these were called ‘junkets’. Today we hear they are now ‘getting to know you seminars.’ Absolutely ridiculous. I want the people of the 1st district to know that I will be frugal, upfront, and not afraid to state my positions on the issues.”

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"My amendment didn't name the Savannah River Site, but I hope the study will explore the possibility of using it for nuclear power plants."

-- Henry Brown, Aug. 24, 2001

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