Canary Coalition coordinator Avram Friedman believes it is time for North Carolina to do its part in controlling emissions from coal-fired power plants within its borders.

Friedman says neighboring states will have to do their part as well, but there is no better time than now for North Carolina to take leadership in solving this problem.

The Canary Coalition, based in Jackson County, joined the North Carolina Clean Air Coalition (NCCAC) last week in releasing the Clean Smokestacks Plan. The NCCAC, representing dozens of environmental organizations, held simultaneous press conferences across the state, Monday, March 5, touting the Smokestacks Plan and calling on Gov. Mike Easley and state legislators to make clean air a top priority for North Carolina.

The Clean Smokestacks Plan calls for specific reductions by North Carolina power plants:

° A cap on summertime NOx (nitrogen oxides) at 23,000 tons, an 80-percent reduction from 1998 levels.

° A cap on year-round NOx emissions at 50,000 tons, an 80-percent reduction from 1998 levels.

° A cap on SO2 (sulfur dioxide) at 82,000 tons annually, an 82-percent reduction from 1998 levels.

° A 90-percent reduction in mercury emissions from 1998 levels.

° A reduction in greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions to 1990 levels.

Proponents of The Clean Smokestacks Plan say North Carolina’s coal-fired plants burn 32 million tons of coal a year and are the largest point sources of air pollution in the state.

The NCCAC said that power plants emit 45 percent of all airborne emissions of NOx, 82 percent of SO2 and 65 percent of mercury in the state.

Michael Shore, Southeast air quality manager for North Carolina Environmental Defense, said: “Polluted air is estimated to cost the state more than $3.5 billion annually in health costs, loss of life, agriculture losses and decreased tourism.”

Environmentalists calculate that cleaning up the plants would cost utilities about $450 million a year, which would translate to a $4-$5 monthly increase in household rates if companies were allowed to pass the costs to consumers.

However, Duke Power spokesman Joe Maher recently told the Hendersonville Times-News that the cost per household dramatically understated the economic impact of the plan because over two-thirds of Duke’s customers were businesses.

Maher told the Times-News that while Duke expected more regulations in the future and that the company would comply, that for anyone to take action before new regulations were approved would be premature and could put the state at a disadvantage.

Nancy Thompson of Carolina Power and Light told the Asheville Citizen-Times that her company has done a lot to reduce emissions and that CP&L was working to balance a cleaner environment with reliable and affordable electricity.

Shore, however doesn’t believe the people of North Carolina want the agenda set by the utilities. He believes the governor and the General Assembly are mandated to protect the environment and the health of North Carolina citizens.

 

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