Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop

WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded South Carolina State University (SCSU) the first installment of a five-year, $225,000 grant to support nuclear engineering. The first installment of $45,000, and all future installments expected to be of a similar amount, will have to be matched with private funds. “South Carolina is a leader in nuclear technology and nuclear power,” said Graham. “We’re fortunate to have the crown jewel of the Department of Energy located in our state, the Savannah River Site. We’re also one of the most pro-nuclear states in the union with seven nuclear reactors producing electricity.” The funds will be used to assist both graduate and undergraduate students in the nuclear engineering field by purchasing personal computers and nuclear engineering software. Funds can also be used for tests and experiments in the nuclear engineering field. “If we’re serious about reducing our dependence on foreign oil, nuclear energy is the best alternative,” said Graham. “It’s one of the most cost-effective, environmentally friendly energy producing options available.”

Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) announced today the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded the city of Summerville a $34,344 grant for fire prevention programs. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant will help the fire department with their public education and awareness activities, fire code enforcement activities, fire inspection certificates, purchase and installation of smoke alarms and fire suppression systems, wildland fire mitigation and arson prevention and detection activities. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect others, and they deserve the best equipment and training available,” said Graham. “Firefighters are some of the heroes in our midst.” The Assistance program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community. The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel. Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share. The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions. In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year.

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Senate approved the FY 2004 Defense Appropriations Bill which includes several hundred million dollars for projects directly affecting South Carolina. Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted for the bill, which passed the Senate 95-0. Highlights of South Carolina projects in the bill include: South Carolina Upstate The bill appropriates a total of $140.222 million for the P-3 aircraft Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program (AIP). The Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program greatly expands the P-3C’s capabilities and includes additional advanced technology sensors, expanded communication systems, upgraded weapon delivery capabilities, and survivability upgrades. The plus up includes $18.2 million for additional AIP kits and $3 million for Tactical Common Data Link. A portion of this work will be done in Greenville. $12 million for Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) to support prototype development. A portion of this work will be done in Greenville. $1.25 million for Formidable Aligned Carbon ThermoSets (FACTS), a new composite product for naval aircraft construction. FACTS will allow the design and fabrication of much more efficient designs significantly lowering airframe weight. A significant amount of the development will be conducted in Anderson. South Carolina Midlands $34.592 million for the purchase of additional M109A6 Paladin Howitzers. The Paladin is the most advanced self-propelled howitzer cannon system fielded in the world. The additional 36 Paladins authorized and appropriated are solely for the Army National Guard. A significant number of components for the Paladin are built in Aiken. $5 million for M-249 Squad Automatic Weapons (Army) and $4 million for M-249 Squad Automatic Weapons (Marine Corp) produced in Columbia. The M-249 is a portable, high-fire volume, highly reliable light machine gun which serves as one of the Army and Marine Corps most valuable infantry weapon systems. $3.6 million for the AH-64 Vibration Management Enhancement Program (VMEP). The Army has selected the South Carolina National Guard’s VMEP, in conjunction with the University of South Carolina, as the aircraft maintenance diagnostic system for all Army AH-64 Apache and Apache Longbow helicopters. $1.2 million for the development of an Advanced Electric Drive for military use. South Carolina Lowcountry $8.4 million for continued research and development to create vaccines for the Ebola and Marburg viruses. The research will be conducted in Mt. Pleasant. $2.8 million for the procurement of Quadrangle Containers, produced in Charleston. These shipping containers divide into four separate sections to aid in transport by facilitating the loading and unloading process. $2.25 million for continued development of multi-spectral Barium GaloGermanite (BGG) glass window technology, an essential component for airborne reconnaissance systems. Research and development of BGG glass is conducted in Hilton Head. $2.1 million for further development of Lean Munitions, designed to reduce the time necessary to design, manufacture and test munitions to keep pace with the Army’s increased operational tempo. $2 million for the development of an Autolog System, a concept that uses multi-point stabilization to overcome the pendulations problems on existing shipboard cranes. Research will be conducted in Charleston. $1.5 million increase to the current Supply-Chain Practices for Affordable Navy Systems (SPANS) program. This will support additional pilot programs to help prime contractors work with their supply chains in the context of the new acquisition practices. Misc. $55 million for C-37 Procurement. These aircraft support combatant commanders of forward deployed Navy and Marine Corps forces. $5 million for Eagle Vision which provides the South Carolina National Guard with in-theater, real-time acquisition and processing of commercial satellite imagery of our adversary’s territory. "Our state is the tip of the spear for our nation’s armed services," said Graham. "South Carolina is also a leader in military technology and plays a vital role in the war on terrorism. The men and women stationed here, both active duty and reserve components, play a major role in defending American interests around the world and providing freedom.” "I am proud to be from a state that is invaluable to America’s fighting force," said Graham. "We provide the human assets and support systems that make the U.S. military the world’s premier fighting force.” “This bill is important to our men and women in uniform. It provides the crucial technology and equipment on which they depend. South Carolina plays an important role in the defense of our country and our way of life.” The Defense Appropriations Act has also passed the U.S. House and will now be sent to President Bush for his signature. ####

Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) announced the U.S. Senate passed the 2004 Energy and Water Appropriations legislation which contains over $79 million dollars in projects for South Carolina. Graham voted for the bill which passed the Senate 92-0. “The projects funded in this bill improve the infrastructure of the state, maintain trade routes, and will help preserve the pristine recreational areas we all enjoy,” said Graham. “These projects will make the state more attractive for future economic development, business investment, and tourism.” “I am proud of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for passing this bill in a bipartisan manner,” said Graham. “This demonstrates the ability of the Republican leadership to reach out to our Democratic friends and accomplish business that is good for the American people.” Graham noted that in addition to the South Carolina specific projects, the bill provides $71.1 million dollars for the Appalachian Regional Commission, a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. The bill also congratulates the state for creating one of the first new graduate programs in nuclear engineering in the last 20 years and strongly encourages the U.S. Department of Energy to support the new program at the University of South Carolina. The bill must now pass a conference meeting of both the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can be finalized and signed into law by President Bush. South Carolina Projects Contained in the Senate Energy and Water Appropriation Bill

• $16.924 million for the Russell Dam and Lake for construction, operations and maintenance;
• $13.96 million for Lake Hartwell operations and maintenance;
• $11.747 million for J. Strom Thurmond Lake for operation and maintenance;
• $10.5 million for Charleston Harbor operations and maintenance;
• $5.5 million for the Thurmond Lake Powerhouse for construction and major rehabilitation;
• $5 million for the deepening and widening of Charleston Harbor;
• $3.85 million to Lake Russell for land mitigation payments to South Carolina;
• $3.38 million to the Cooper River for operations and maintenance;
• $2.719 million to Georgetown Harbor for the dredging of Sampit River and Upper Winyah Bay, and for operations and maintenance;
• $1.432 million to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway for operations and maintenance;
• $1 million to Lake Russell for mitigation payment related to turbine operations at the dam;
• $760,000 in additional money for the dredging of Charleston Harbor;
• $452,000 to Folly River for operations and maintenance;
• $430,000 to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway for general investigations;
• $419,000 to Town Creek for operations and maintenance;
• $350,000 to Lakes Marion and Moultrie for general stewardship;
• $300,000 for the Aquatic Plant Control Program, a statewide management of nuisance aquatic plant problems in public waters;
• $200,000 to the Savannah River Basin for general stewardship;
• $200,000 to Folly Beach for general construction;
• $170,000 to the Reedy River for general stewardship;
• $125,000 to Pawleys Island for pre-construction engineering and design;
• $100,000 to the Broad River Basin for general stewardship;
• $100,000 to Edisto Island for an erosion study;
• $75,000 for the Santee Delta Environmental Restoration;
• $50,000 to the Waccamaw River for general stewardship;
• $45,000 to Murrells Inlet for operations and maintenance.

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