South Carolina has numerous former industrial sites which would require remediation prior to development for future use ("Brownfields"). The type and amount of cleanup will vary, of course, based upon the contaiments of concern and the proposed use (residential usually requiring greater cleanup).  Obviously, incentives for such redevelopment benefit everyone, and both federal and state authorities have programs designed to encourage remediation and redevelopment. (click here for SC's program thru DHEC.)

These incentives also include tax credits which allow all or a significant portion of environmental cleanup costs to be deducted in the year incurred. (Usually, costs which create permanent improvement must be capitalized and deducted over a # of years). Although the federal tax benefit expired December 31, 2009, legislation is pending to extend the Brownfields Tax Incentive again. Note also that legislation in 2006 amended the tax incentive to include petroleum cleanup. (Generally, petroleum is excluded from CERCLA regulation.) (See EPA factsheet here. See additional info here.)

In addition, SC offers a significant tax credit for cleanup costs. (See form with citations here.)