Coalition Calls On Governor Easley To Clean N.C.'s Filthy Air

A coalition of environmental, public health and citizen groups today released a landmark plan for cleaning up North Carolina’s dirty air and called on Governor Mike Easley and state legislators to make clean air a top priority for North Carolina.

The North Carolina Clean Smokestacks Plan, developed by the N.C. Clean Air Coalition, recommends reductions in nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and mercury needed to protect public health by improving air quality. These pollutants are mostly produced by 14 coal-fired power plants in the state that fail to meet federal pollution control standards established in 1977. Power plants emit 45% of airborne emissions of NO , 82% of SO2,and 65% of mercury in the state.

“Polluted air is estimated to cost the state more than $3.5 billion annually in health care costs, loss of life, agriculture losses and decreased tourism,” said Michael Shore, Southeast air quality manager for North Carolina Environmental Defense. “There is no reason to wait to improve air quality. Now is the time for a plan that protects people, not outdated power plants.”

“We know the problems caused by dirty air and its sources, but we also know the technology to clean up the smokestacks is available and affordable,” said Dr. Sue McKenna, spokesperson for the N.C. Sierra Club’s conservation committee. “Governor Easley’s leadership is needed urgently in fighting dirty air, and the General Assembly must work diligently to pass a clean air bill this session.”

Shore said the benefits of reducing the three pollutants far outweigh the costs, which are estimated to raise an average household’s power bill by $4.09 a month if utility companies pass on all costs to consumers.

The Clean Smokestacks Plan calls for specific reductions:

• A cap on summertime NO emissions at 23,000 tons, an 80% reduction compared to 1998 levels.

• A cap on year-round NO emissions at 50,000 tons, an 80% reduction compared to 1998 levels.

• A cap on emissions at 85,000 tons annually, an 82% reduction compared to 1998 levels.

• A 90% reduction in mercury emissions compared to 1998 levels.

• A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels.