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In a recent Post and Courier opinion piece, author Kevin Fisher quoted an Atlanta Journal-Constitution headline, “Georgia Power began splitting atoms on Monday at one of its two new nuclear units at Plant Vogtle.” In his piece, he expressed regret that SCANA and Santee Cooper botched and then abandoned Plant Summer, costing ratepayers about $9 billion while getting nothing in return.

It might seem logical to think that spending $9 billion for something you did not receive meant the decision to stop was wrong, but in the case of Plant Summer, it was absolutely the right decision. Rather than taking up space here, please type “sunk cost fallacy” into any search engine after you read this article.

CityWatch: Georgia gets new nuclear plant, SC gets nothing

People who wish South Carolina had not canceled Plant Summer must not realize how much trouble Georgians are in over the cost of Plant Vogtle. Now approaching $40 billion, it is the most expensive power plant ever built on earth.

As Georgia Power continues to rack up billions of dollars of cost overruns for Plant Vogtle, botched is hardly a strong enough word to describe this project. According to documents filed at the Georgia Public Service Commission prepared by independent construction monitors, issues plaguing the project include unachievable schedules, a culture of poor work inspections, failure to document progress, violation of IEEE standards and component failure rates of 80 percent. Failure to adopt lessons learned has also been a bedrock theme.

Although Georgia officials like to say zero carbon energy is a benefit of Plant Vogtle, let’s be clear: reduced carbon emissions were not why this plant was built. Georgia has no renewable energy goals and last July the Ga PSC authorized 2300 MW of new natural gas generation. Georgia doesn’t even track carbon emissions.

This plant happened because Georgia Power’s business model rewards capital investment, a perverse incentive that results in overbuilding and delivers rich profits. Georgia Power has already earned billions of dollars in early profits just for construction financing costs from riders on electricity bills. Once both reactors begin operating Georgia Power bills are expected to increase a shocking 20 percent for 60 years to pay for it.

For a state already in the top 10 for high power bills and energy poverty, these increases will be more than many people can bear.

Since South Carolina has half the population of Georgia, state officials knew that billions of dollars of cost overruns for Plant Summer would have been divided over a small number of customers and electricity rate increases would have been unbearable. That is why officials wisely canceled Plant Summer.

And look at what South Carolina has accomplished since Plant Summer was canceled: The 2014 landmark energy bill known as the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) program has flourished in ways it would not have with the heavy costs and distractions of building a nuclear power plant which crowds out other investments.

In 2023 South Carolina is a top 10 state for affordable electric bills and is ranked 13th nationally for rooftop solar. Georgia is the opposite: we are a top 10 state for most expensive electric bills and in 43rd place for rooftop solar — practically last. Rooftop solar is too expensive for almost everyone since Georgia officials do nothing to support it, so customers are forced to pay big electricity bills profiting Georgia Power. Once construction costs are added to the rates Georgia Power bills will become the highest in the nation because of Plant Vogtle. This is the fate South Carolina avoided by cancelling Plant Summer.

South Carolina officials who made the tough call to cancel Plant Summer in 2017 should be thanked for that decision. Utility officials who lied about Plant Summer’s progress were held accountable, while utility officials in Georgia similarly providing false schedule updates and cost estimates have had no accountability.

And by the way? The “splitting of atoms” at Plant Vogtle’s Unit 3 that began April 1 is no longer occurring. This unit shut down May 5, for the second time in the past month, for safety failures. Cost overruns continue.

Patty Durand is founder of Cool Planet Solutions and is a candidate for the Georgia Public Service Commission.

Who’s up for margaritas?

Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for Fifth of May, will make its annual appearance on Friday. The holiday commemorates Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

For many Americans though, the day is more about drinking, partying and celebrating Mexican culture.

Whatever your reason is for recognizing Cinco de Mayo, Columbia restaurants and bars have organized events to help you celebrate. Here are six of the best Cinco de Mayo events in the Columbia area planned for this year.

When: Friday at 6 p.m.

Where: Tin Roof at 1022 Senate Street, Columbia

Swing by the Tin Roof for fun on what the business’ website says is “one of our favorite days of the year!” Tin Roof is all about hosting live music and Cinco de Mayo will be no different. The event will feature music group Outtapocket, followed by The Great Reset. And naturally, there will be plenty of margaritas and tacos for everyone.

When: Friday

Where; The Grand on Main at 1621 Main Street, Columbia

Party it up on Columbia’s Main Street for Cinco de Mayo at The Grand this year. The restaurant will offer margarita flights, taco specials and more. To reserve a table, click here.

When: Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Savage Craft Ale Works at 430 Center Street, West Columbia

Savage Craft Ale Works invites everyone for a Cinco de Mayo with Caribe Latin Sound. Besides the authentic live music, there will be plenty of drinks to go around.

When: Friday at 9 p.m.

Where: Legacy Caribbean Bar Grill at 215 Oneil Court, Columbia

Join Legacy Caribbean Bar & Grill for their Cinco de Locos event. They’ll be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with $5 margaritas all night, party favors, food, drinks and music.

When: Friday at 4 p.m.

Where: Woody on Main at 1649 Main Street, Columbia

Stop by this dance club for a night of fun and entertainment. The Woody on Main plans to offer a festive Cinco de Mayo with plenty of food, dancing and Tequila and Corona specials.

When: Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Where: City Roots Organic Farm at 1005 Airport Blvd, Columbia

Not interested in bars for Cinco de Mayo this year? Then how about a hearty meal at City Roots Farm at its Cinco de Mayo Harvest Dinner? Be prepared for a family-style, four-course farm-to-table dinner, featuring seasonal ingredients from local farmers and artisans. Also enjoy cocktail and wine pairings.

Tickets are $85 each, a percentage of which will be used to support The Charitable Plate 501 C3, which provides scholarships to help shepherd the development of future chefs and farmers. To buy tickets, click here.

If you have a big Cinco de Mayo event in the Columbia area you think should be included, email pmccreless@thestate.com.

This story was originally published May 2, 2023, 7:00 AM.

Rooted in Southern tradition, South Carolina's only event dedicated to the love of cornbread returns Sunday, April 30, after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The North Columbia Business Association (NCBA) North Main (NOMA) District is hosting the annual event on Sunday, April 30, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at 2847 N. Main Street.

The mission of the South Carolina Cornbread Festival is to allow the North Columbia community to be a part of the NCBA/NOMA District's tradition and cultural pastime that brings people together for a fun-filled family experience.

Festivities will include live music, cornhole and bingo games, the Cornbread Alley, the Cornbread Cook-Off, the Cornbread Eating Competition, the Corn Muffin Playland, the Little Miss Muffin Pageant, craft vendors, food trucks, and exhibitors.

"We are excited for the return of the festival after COVID has changed our community because we are still feeling some of the challenges of the pandemic," said Sabrina Odom Edwards, Executive Director, NCBA/NOMA. "NOMA waits a little longer for people to get back on their feet, and many have, while some still have not, but NCBA decided to bring back the festival to celebrate life and healing because we lost so many businesses and friends due to the pandemic."

The South Carolina Cornbread Festival welcomes approximately 8,000 attendees annually to the City of Columbia and Richland County. The festival proceeds enable the NCBA/NOMA District to market the corridor throughout the Midlands and host events throughout the year showcasing its merchants. A fun festival is a destination event that attracts attendees from around the region.

"It's time to meet new businesses and create new friendships, but most of all, to celebrate our merchants, community, and life; the Cornbread Festival does just that," said Edwards. "The South Carolina Cornbread Festival has brought together businesses, communities, the City of Columbia, Richland County, and the State of South Carolina for the past eight years to support all small businesses in the Capital City of Columbia. If you bring awareness to one business in the area, it's a big economic impact on a mom-and-pop business."

This year's festival will take place at 2847 N. Main Street in Downtown Columbia in the grassy area in front of the NOMA Community Garden bordered by Anthony Avenue, Drayton and Newman Streets, and River Drive. A complete festival map can be found on NOMAColumbia.com.

To learn more about the South Carolina Cornbread Festival, please visit NOMAColumbia.com.

COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) — As the Midlands comes to terms with yet another senseless act of violence involving young people, several local leaders are speaking out.

“We have to figure out ways to get our youth talking about other ways of dealing with the stress and the drama and the things that they go through without violence,” said Perry Bradley with Building Better Communities.

Bradley like many other local leaders, was devastated to hear of another tragedy involving weapons and young people.

“Conflict resolution has become on the backburner of a lot of people and we're afraid to really address those issues,” he said.

Saturday’s mass shooting at Meadowlake Park marks the third incident this week where a young person hurt another with a weapon.

On Monday, a teen was charged in a drive-by shooting at a home in Northeast Columbia that injured a 16-year-old girl.

Then on Tuesday, Richland County deputies say a 17-year-old student stabbed another student at Ridge View High School.

“We're talking about our future, we must protect our futures,” said James “JT” McLawhorn with Columbia Urban League.

As leaders continue to try and steer young people away from violence, many say they’ll need help making it happen.

“Adults really have the responsibility of protecting our future and it's up to us as adults to come together,” said McLawhorn.

In a statement, Oveta Glover, President of the Columbia SC Branch of the NAACP said:

“As the President and on behalf of the Columbia SC Branch NAACP, I am extremely saddened about the horrific incident that occurred in Meadow Lake Park and the other incidents throughout Richland County, Columbia, S. C. We are disgusted that this continues to happen and the consequences are either, death, hospitalization, or jail. When will those that are involved in these actions realize that they are only destroying themselves, their families, and their communities? How can we help them to realize what they are doing and the impact of it? Now more than ever is the time for Legislators, City Council, County Council, ministerial communities, school districts, law enforcement, community leaders, and parents to work together. Time out for separation! Our babies, youth, and communities are dying, and “WE ARE DONE DYING”. I implore all of us to dig deep to find solutions TOGETHER! Our continued prayers are with the families that have been affected. Peace be with you all.”

COLUMBIA — Business at Which Wich on South Main Street is steady on weekdays as students stop in between lectures and Statehouse employees drop by for a quick bite.

When session and classes are out, though, it’s a different story, district manager Mack Strickland said.

“It’d be great if this was a nicer area because nobody comes here on the weekends,” Strickland said. “On Saturdays, it’s just completely dead. On Sundays, it’s dead. And during the summertime, nothing.”

As plans to transform South Main Street, the blocks between the Statehouse and Blossom Street that crosses into the USC campus, into a bustling pedestrian mall begin, those involved hope it will turn the thoroughfare from a path for students into a destination of its own.

Construction begins Feb. 23, to make the street two lanes instead of five, widen the sidewalks, plant more trees and construct dedicated bike lanes.

The $23 million project — a joint effort from the University of South Carolina, city of Columbia and state Department of Transportation — is expected to be completed in June 2025.

About a year of the timeline, and $8 million of the cost, will be dedicated to moving utilities underground, state DOT project manager Berry Mattox said. Construction will halve the road, cutting it down to two lanes while the sidewalks are extended. Street parking will be removed until the work is done.

The road stretching from Blossom to Pendleton streets acts as a junction for USC and the Statehouse. Students and lawmakers alike walk down the cracked sidewalks, heading one way for legislating and another for classes in the university buildings lining the road.

“It’s pretty barren,” Main Street District CEO Matt Kennell said. “It just feels unloved.”

South Main is a stark contrast from the shopping district of Main Street on the other side of the Statehouse grounds, with two-lane roads, wide sidewalks and lush greenery. Transforming the road could make it more cohesive with the vibrant shopping corridor that is the other side of Main Street.

“I’m hoping that someday we’ll look at (South Main) as being Main Street,” Kennell said. “It’ll be the grand boulevard for the whole city.”

With students walking to and from classes, pedestrian numbers on the Greene Street intersection surpass 1,000 an hour during peak hours — some of the highest numbers in the city, Mattox said.

Revamping the area could be a major boost for the university, USC President Michael Amiridis said.

“That’s an area that has a lot of potential for our students, for their families when they come to visit, for their friends to really spend some time there,” Amiridis said. “To eat, to be entertained, to spend some time in this area.”

While some restaurants and local convenience stores have set up shop on the road, long stretches are empty or vacant buildings. Investment in the area itself will hopefully lead to investment from more retailers, the project leaders said.

The larger sidewalks will allow restaurants to set up outdoor seating on nice days, with enough space for people to walk past. A long expanse of trees will line the road, separating a bike path from street parking.

Main Street underwent a similar facelift years ago, in which it went from four lanes to two and had much-needed utility improvements. While the original construction was disruptive, it allowed for huge increases in investment and foot traffic, Kennell said.

“It transformed the area literally block by block as the blocks were completed,” Kennell said. “I have no doubt that it will do the same for South Main Street.”

Business owners already in the South Main area were cautiously optimistic about the idea. Strickland, the Which Wich district manager, said he liked the idea but wanted more parking to go with it. A garage in place of a nearby surface lot could help alleviate that problem, he said.

Bushra Ghazi, owner of Shalimar Curry House, looked out her front window on South Main near Devine Street, closer to campus, and pointed out groups of students and people walking dogs as evidence that wider sidewalks would help create more space for people walking.

“They need a wider sidewalk,” she said.

To say the South Main project has been a long time coming is an understatement. The completion date is 120 years after the concept of turning the area into a pedestrian mall first came up in a city plan, Mattox said.

The modern version of the project took shape in the 2017 Capital District Plan, followed by several years of planning and a few years bogged down by funding problems, Mattox said.

With the project about $3 million over budget at the beginning of 2022, the DOT made up the cost with federal funds, allowing construction to finally make headway.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to get it started,” Columbia City Councilman Howard Duvall said.