South Carolina Prepares for Solar Revolution

by Brandon  Baker from EW May 22, 2014
South Carolina’s House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation that would expand solar energy in a fledgling market by a whopping 105-0 count, The State reported. A similar version recently passed the state senate. The final version should soon be on Gov. Nikki Haley’s desk for a signature.

“This is truly a big deal,” said Rep. Robert Brown, D-Charleston. “A giant step in moving South Carolina forward in renewable energy.”

The bill comes after two years of intense negotiations. It is considered a compromise bill between utilities like SCE&G and Duke Energy and green groups like the Southern Environmental Law Center and the S.C. Coastal Conservation League.

It’s nowhere near as aggressive as laws in other states, but it represents a start. Under the legislation, investor-owned utilities in South Carolina must buy or invest in more solar energy by 2021. They must get 2 percent of their average five-year peak power demand from solar panels.

“Across the South, states like North Carolina and Georgia have already moved to take advantage of local, affordable solar power, and this compromise legislation is what South Carolinians have been waiting for,” Katie Ottenweller, head of Southern Environmental Law Center’s solar initiative, said in a statement earlier this year.

“With smart, forward-looking policies in place, the state’s solar market can and will grow rapidly, bringing enormous benefits to the people of South Carolina.”

The World According to Monsanto GMO Documentary

Charleston Monthly Shopping List April/May

New NON-GMO Fruit Sacks

Discontinued items

 {insert frownie face}: 

Carrington Farms Organic Chia Seed,
Annies Mac & Cheese
Natural Origins GF Food Bars
Cascadian Farms Coconut Granola Bars
Next organics Dk Chocolate covered Banana and Coconut 

Adam and Eve Organic Quenchers
and all items with asterisks.

New items: 

Organic Annie's Fruit Snacks 36 ct 0.8 oz ea 13.89
Taylor Farms  Organic Super-food Power  Greens 1.5 lb  4.49

Taylor Farms Organic Baby Kale 1.5 lb 4.49
KS Organic Bottled Lemonade 2/96 oz  5.89

Amy's Kitchen Bean & Cheese Burrito 8 ct  11.99

Natural Planet Organic Blue Tortilla Chips 24oz  5.59

KS Organic Ancient  Grains  Bread 2/28oz 5.99
Made in Nature Organic Calimyrna Figs  40oz 11.49

KS Organic Ancient Grains Granola 2/17.6 oz 7.29
NONGMO Nature's PAth Organic Flax + Pumpkin Granola 35.3oz 7.89

Harvest Creek Organic Chicken breast (canned) 4/12oz  19.99

Earth's Choice Quinoa Pasta (penne) 2.2lb  6.89
Honeytree Organic Rainforest Honey 2/24oz  8.99

The past two months offered no organic apples or fresh fruits other than pre-packaged sliced apples and a brief show of fresh organic blueberries. I used to spend most of my fresh produce budget at Costco and I am spending way less there and have now subscribed to a delivery service from this local company that services  the Greater Charleston Area. 

I am keeping the pressure on about the organics and needing fruit selections and you can too. On each trip to Costco, I visit the member suggestion table across from the soda fountain. You can request items, ask questions, and thank Costco for increasing the number of Organics and GMO-free options. Please remember to thank them, the NONGMO verified items and organics they carry are increasing in frozen and dry goods.

They respond to the demand of the customers, if we buy it, they will continue to sell it, if we ask for it, they will try to get it for us. -- Beth

This list is compiled by a human who may often be wrangling a precocious 7 yr old during their monthly Costco run. I am not compensated by Costco and receive nothing but OCD satisfaction by compiling and publishing this monthly list. If you seen an error or a forgotten item, let me know or snap a pic of the new item's tag and send it to me. I'll add it to the list. 

Key:

NONGMO-- Carries the NONGMO seal from the NON GMO Project

(GF) Gluten Free

KS/KSB-- Kirkland Signature Brand

#/lb-- pound

( * ) Asterisk denotes that this is a one time item. Will not be reordered.

Meats:

Coleman SL/BL  Organic Chicken Breasts 5.99 per lb
Coleman SL/BL Organic Chicken Thighs 4.29 per lb

Coleman Whole Fryer Chickens 2.49 per lb (2 per pack)

KS Organic Ground Beef 4 pounds (3 shell pack) -17.9

                                Do People That Eat Margarine Really Know How It's Manufactured?

From PreventDisease.com

Polyunsaturated margarine became a major part of the Western diet and had overtaken butter in popularity in the mid-20th century. Despite their best efforts, the margarine lobby has failed to convince most people that their synthetic concoctions are healthy. So what is not obvious to most of the people who consume it? The manufacturing process of course, which is very similar to the way plastic is produced.