Wind

The Clemson University Restoration Institute in North Charleston will test next–generation wind turbines and drive trains. The facility has received $45 million in grant money from the U. S. Department of Energy, which is combined with $53 million in matching funds to build and operate a large–scale wind turbine drive train testing facility on the former Navy base. Over the next 20 years, S.C. could gain 20,000 jobs related to the wind power industry, according to the Dept. of Energy.

Nelson Mullins branches into West Virginia By December 1, Columbia–based law firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP will open an office in Huntington, W. Va., their 12th location. Besides Huntington and Columbia, the firm has offices in Greenville, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston–Salem, Tallahassee, and the District of Columbia.

Jafza highway exchange

At the Lake Marion High School cafeteria (3656 Tee Vee Road in Santee) the SCDOT has a public information meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 5–7 pm. It is to disclose and discuss the Interstate 95 and U. S. Highway 301 interchange modification and Highway 301 connector project in response to the $700 million, 1,300–acre Jafza International proposed distribution and light manufacturing center.

Representatives from the SCDOT and FHWA will be available to discuss the project with individual questioners. Displays will be set up in the cafeteria. At a later date, the same team will stage a formal presentation and hold a public hearing, presumably at the same venue. For further information, contact Randall Young, Midlands Regional Production Engineer, SCDOT, at 737.4682.

Duke

Charlotte–based Duke Energy has asked the S.C. Public Service Commission to approve a 12.1 percent general rate increase. If approved, the raised rates will increase Duke’s annual revenues by $133 million. Duke plans to implement the raised rates no sooner than January 1.

Meanwhile, AdvanceSC gave $10.6 million to Upstate organizations over the past year. Since its inception with profits from Duke’s Bulk Power Marketing program, AdvanceSC has invested more than $55 million in Upstate economic development, education, manufacturing, and public assistance. For more information about the PSC’s hearing procedures: 896.5100.

NAI Avant scores

The S.C. State Ports Authority recently selected Columbia–based NAI Avant as its exclusive marketing agent for the sale of 495 acres of waterfront property on Charleston’s Daniel Island. The NAI Avant team will be led by Rob Lapin, Tom Milliken and Cam Kreps, and they will be joined by Jay Keenan of Palmetto Commercial Properties of Charleston.

Florence gets high–tech textiles

Fletcher, N.C.–based Materials Innovation Technologies is opening a new facility in Florence County to develop advanced textiles for the automotive, aeronautics, and defense industries. Materials Innovation Technologies will begin hiring about 120 new workers in February.

Old tricks

The Central Midlands Regional Transportation Authority and Columbia–based Maxim Communications Group are surveying the people of greater Columbia about the bus service, most of whom have never been on the bus system here or anywhere else. What the Columbia bus system needs is a national survey determining what is nationally considered minimally adequate bus transit, because that’s what the rest of the country has come to expect as they come to Columbia looking to relocate or branch out or go to school.

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In U.S. News & World Report 2009 Best Law Schools Rankings, USC Law came in at No. 87 in the country. In the 2010 Super Lawyers U.S. Law School Rankings, USC Law is No. 38, immediately ahead of the law schools at Univ. of Illinois, Seton Hall, Univ. of Southern California, Univ. of Georgia, Univ. of Notre Dame and Univ. of Indiana (Indianapolis).