Haley Defends Port of Savannah Permit

Gov. Nikki Haley said Tuesday that Georgia earned a recent S.C. permit that will help grow business at the Port of Savannah.

The governor came under fire after the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control approved the permit allowing the Georgia Ports Authority to deepen the Savannah River.

Tasked with overseeing issues related to commerce on the river, the S.C. Savannah River Maritime Commission , claiming the commission should be the permitting agency.

The commission members are concerned a deeper Port of Savannah will hurt business in Charleston and ruin chances for a Jasper port.

Haley was given a few minutes to speak Tuesday night at the Propeller Club of Charleston's State of the Port event, opening for State Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome, .

First, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham R-S.C., took time in comments via telephone to defend Haley.

"I know she is completely dedicated to the Port of Charleston," he said.

The governor told the crowd to enjoy their meal, but to eat quietly. "We need to have an honest discussion about what these last seven days are about," she said.

Haley filled the DHEC board with business people to get politics out of the process, she said, telling the appointees that if a request met permit requirements, they should grant a permit.

With Georgia's request, Haley said DHEC got more concessions than would have been required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"I stand behind my DHEC board and I know what they did was right," she said.

The governor went on to argue that the Port of Charleston can compete without holding Savannah back.

"Our fight is not with Savannah," Haley said, alluding to a battle in Washington, D.C., for federal funds to deepen the Charleston Harbor.

"We can work together and win or we can fight and be at a standstill."