“C” is for Chem-Nuclear, L.L.C. Chem-Nuclear was organized by a group of investors from Washington state. Because South Carolina had important nuclear reactors used to generate electricity, the Savannah River site, and other activities that created low-level radioactive waste, it was considered a good state in which to locate a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility. Chem-Nuclear began operating in Barnwell County in 1970. In accordance with legislation passed by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2000, the site was closed in 2008 to nuclear waste except that from the three member states of the Atlantic Compact: Connecticut, New Jersey and South Carolina. Throughout its history Chem-Nuclear has enjoyed support from the people in Barnwell because of its record of regulatory-environmental compliance and it contributions to the economic, civic, and educational life of Barnwell County.
Dr. Walter Edgar has two programs on South Carolina Public Radio: Walter Edgar's Journal, and South Carolina from A to Z. Dr. Edgar received his B.A. degree from Davidson College in 1965 and his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1969. After two years in the army (including a tour of duty in Vietnam), he returned to USC as a post-doctoral fellow of the National Archives, assigned to the Papers of Henry Laurens.