By Jerry Bellune

JerryBellue@yahoo.com

7 counties are suing for $600 million won in a federal law suit settlement.
The counties near the Savannah River Site say they are entitiled to the money.
They contend they have been the most harmed by the federal government's neglect in failing to move nuclear waste from the site 45 minutes from Lexington County.
The lawsuit was filed in state court by Allendale and Barnwell counties and the Southern Carolina Alliance, an economic development group that represents 7 counties where the Savannah River Site is located.
Southern Carolina Alliance CEO Danny Black said in an affidavit that the deadly substance caused businesses to go elsewhere.
Attorney General Alan Wilson negotiated the settlement but the counties don't want him to turn over the money to the state general fund where 170 lawmakers can spend it. Under the settlement, DOE agreed to remove the deadly radioactive plutonium over the next 20 years.
The lawsuit filed in state court claims that by having tons of plutonium in their area for many years, they will suffer “irreparable harm” if Wilson pays the money into the general fund, The State newspaper reported.
Wilson’s office responded, “We believe the lawsuit has no merit and we will respond appropriately.
"Our office will follow the law that says the General Assembly has the sole ability to appropriate funds.”
The settlement ended years of litigation against the US Department of Energy over the deadly plutonium.
Only $525 million may be available. 
Wilson said $75 millionawill go to 2 private Columbia law firms which did the legal work to win the $600 million settlement.
The counties want the court to make Wilson put the money in an interest-bearing account until it's deciced who gets it.
Congressman Joe Wilson said. "Plutonium fabricated into pits will leave South Carolina to become part of our nuclear deterrent.

“hanks to the hard work of Attorney General Alan Wilson and his legal team, the $600 million settlement included a fail-safe for additional plutonium removal from SRS.

"Unless NNSA has removed at least 4.75MT of plutonium by the beginning of 2037 or all of the 9.5MT of plutonium by 2042, payments up to $100 million a year, starting in 2022, will be owed to the State for economic and impact assistance.”