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

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $600,000 in grants to fire departments in Abbeville, Conway, Honea Path, Saint Matthews, and Whitmire. “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 grants were awarded in one of two program areas:

• Operations and Firefighter Safety Program: The funds may be used for training, wellness, and fitness programs; the purchase of firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and modifications to fire stations and facilities.
• Firefighting Vehicle Acquisition Program: The funds may be used for the purchase of firefighting vehicles including pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue vehicles, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.

The grants awarded include: Abbeville Antreville Volunteer Fire Department will receive an $82,832 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Cold Springs Volunteer Fire Department will receive an $81,162 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Conway Conway Fire Department will receive a $124,393 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Honea Path Craytonville Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $64,035 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. Saint Matthews Fort Motte Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $166,336 Firefighting Vehicle Grant. Whitmire Whitmire Fire Department will receive an $88,810 Operations and Firefighter Safety Grant. The Assistance to Firefighters grant 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. The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####

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

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Oconee County will receive a $58,500 grant to conduct a runway safety area study at the Oconee County Regional Airport. The study will review a variety of alternatives to extend the existing runway and improve the safety area. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. ####

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

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced North Charleston will receive a $225,000 grant to support the Weed and Seed program. Weed and Seed aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods. The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in ‘weeding out’ criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and ‘seeding’ brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization. This is the fourth award for the North Charleston program which serves four neighborhoods in the community. During this project period, program goals include reducing drug and violent crime, improving police relations and cooperation with residents, providing more comprehensive services to residents through local safe havens, and improving the physical condition of the neighborhoods. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice. ####

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

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said he was very disappointed with fellow Senator John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) saying he opposed opening Yucca Mountain as the long-term repository for nuclear waste. Kerry’s position puts him at odds with the entire South Carolina delegation which voted unanimously in 2002 to open Yucca Mountain. South Carolina is home to an estimated 37 million gallons of liquid waste at Savannah River Site and also growing stockpiles of spent nuclear fuel stored at commercial nuclear power plants in the state. The nuclear waste is slated to be moved from South Carolina and sent to Yucca Mountain for long-term storage. “John Kerry wants to abandon Yucca Mountain and store millions of gallons of nuclear waste in South Carolina,” said Graham. “His position is simply unacceptable. “Yucca Mountain was chosen as a national repository for nuclear waste over twenty years ago and Congress ratified the decision in 2002,” said Graham. “Kerry’s opposition to opening Yucca Mountain will leave South Carolina with no outlet for thousands and thousands of tons of nuclear waste. “From an environmental and national security perspective, it is imperative we have a central repository to store our nuclear waste,” said Graham. “Outside experts and Congress have looked at this problem for years and we know Yucca Mountain, Nevada is the appropriate location. “John Kerry’s action would destroy over two decades of work on a national repository to provide secure, long-term storage of nuclear waste materials,” said Graham. “I hope all Republicans and Democrats in South Carolina will condemn this action and let Senator Kerry know we don’t agree with his position. We don’t appreciate him trying to pull the rug out from under us.” ######