A Judiciary subcommittee already has endorsed the proposal despite opposition from representatives of the business community, including the state Chamber of Commerce. One opponent said the bill could add to the "regulatory burden" for business.

Actually, allowing the grand jury to investigate environmental crimes should create no burden for businesses that abide by the law and demonstrate a regard for the state's natural resources. That's really not too much to expect from citizens, corporate or otherwise.

South Carolina has been and remains a business-friendly state, but the welcome should only extend to those companies that respect the environment and have a good record in that regard. As Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, put it: "If you're a company that doesn't want to be overseen, we probably don't want you here anyway." Rep. Altman, a member of the Judiciary Committee, says there is increasing pressure from some members of the business community to kill the bill.

Its proponents cite the difficulty of dealing with complex environmental crimes that affect several jurisdictions. The grand jury would have authority to look into violations that involve various counties, and could compel testimony and documents as it investigates possible offenses. The existing regulatory authority of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control is inadequate to the task.

Gov. Mark Sanford has cited the importance of protecting the state's natural resources for tourism, the state's chief industry. Expanding the powers of the state grand jury will help protect the natural resources that are essential to South Carolina's economic well-being and the quality of life it offers to residents.