SCDES Media Relations

How to Contact Us

All media requests should be made to Media Relations by email so we can respond to reporters’ questions as thoroughly and quickly as possible. Please do not contact staff directly.

media@des.sc.gov 
803-898-7263 
Main POC Laura Renwick, Public Information Officer 

How We Can Help You

SCDES Media Relations provides information to members of the press about the agency’s services, roles, and goals with protecting South Carolina’s environment. Media Relations works closely with SCDES’s environmental experts to provide clear, accurate and timely responses to media requests.  

Information Requests  

• To request information, email media@des.sc.gov.
• We strive to meet deadlines as much as possible. When emailing Media Relations, please include your deadline.  
• Same-day information requests can’t always be met, but we try. We generally need at least a full day to respond to media requests because staff are dedicated to performing their job duties and aren’t always accessible to quickly answer questions.  
• We understand the news cycle is 24 hours a day, however, SCDES Media Relations hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. During emergencies, Media Relations works extended days and hours to provide important information.  

Interview Requests  

We understand interviews are a preferred method for engaging reporting, however, not every interview request can be accommodated.  

When we can’t support an interview, we’ll provide the reporter with all of the information they need via email.  

Document Requests

We’re happy to provide reporters with supplemental materials such as copies of reports and permits as long as the items are fairly easy for staff to produce.  

If a document or data request will take staff substantial time to compile, then we will need to direct the reporter to our FOIA office to have the request fulfilled. 

Stay Connected with Us

• Website: des.sc.gov
• Social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube): @SouthCarolinaDES
• News releases: email media@des.sc.gov to be added to our distribution list