EPA awards $1.15 million to South Carolina to protect water quality

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $1,156,250 grant to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) to help protect human health and the environment. The amount is part of a performance partnership grant, which is given to states and other local governments that have authority to implement environmental programs.

“Providing funds directly to South Carolina is an excellent example of EPA partnering with states to help address their unique and critical environmental challenges,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “EPA is making investments like this grant to help empower states who know best how to protect resources, and grow their economy while solving real environmental problems in local communities.”

“We are thankful for the EPA’s commitment, which helps support the department’s important work to protect and promote the health of the public and the environment in South Carolina,” said SCDHEC Director Catherine E. Heigel. “With the flexibility provided by this funding, we will focus on priority areas that need attention now.”

This grant will help SCDHEC continue the work of preventing and reducing air and water pollution, enforcing environmental laws, and protecting groundwater and drinking water sources. These funds will also aid in managing waste and help recycling programs throughout South Carolina to be more effective from creation to disposal.

Performance partnership grants are important tools for EPA to provide financial assistance to states and tribes. These grants allow recipients to use EPA awards with greater flexibility for priority environmental problems or program needs, streamline paperwork and accounting procedures to reduce administrative costs, and try cross-program initiatives and approaches that were difficult to fund under traditional category grants.

EPA’s foundational laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, allow EPA to delegate authority to the States or local governments to implement and enforce those laws. These delegated entities may also develop their own regulations if they are more stringent than federal requirements.