The Clean Smokestacks Express came to its final stop in Raleigh last week on the plaza in front of the Legislative Building. Bike riders, supporters, legislators and members of the press gathered to hear Annie Bannerman, an asthmatic woman from the coastal community of Pender County, deliver the closing statement of the Express.

In addition to Bannerman’s statement, the crowd heard from Rep. Martin Nesbitt and Sen. Steve Metcalf, the sponsors of SB1078, the Clean Smokestacks Bill. Both expressed optimism that the bill would pass in this legislative session. Although the bill passed through the senate by a vote of 43-5, it has been stalled in the House Public Utilities Committee for close to three months, creating anxiety that the bill would not be enacted in this session.

Until now the emissions from grandfathered coal-fired power plants have been largely an issue only in the western and central parts of North Carolina, where sulfur dioxide causes acid rain and haze and nitrogen-oxide results in high levels of corrosive and irritating ground-level ozone.

But the Clean Smokestacks Express delivered the message to the eastern part of the state that these same power plants are the largest source of mercury, which is contaminating fish and aquatic wildlife, severely affecting the health of the people in that region, especially young children and pregnant women.

The Express began in Greenville on Thursday, July 12, winding its way through New Bern, Jacksonville, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Charlotte, Salisbury, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Chapel-Hill, Durham and finally to Raleigh on July 17. Bicycle riders with T-shirts that read “North Carolina Wants Clean Smokestacks Now!” and caravanning cars brought their message to each town with a press conference and short clean-air rally. An information table was set up where local residents could find out which legislators to write to or call. People were encouraged to travel to Raleigh for the Clean Air Lobby day. Some did, including Annie Bannerman.

Developing plans for the Clean Smokestacks Express was a mammoth organizational task. It took the dedicated work and cooperation of groups and individuals throughout the state. The coordination was extraordinary. We found strong support everywhere we went. People just wanted to help and join in the effort. The press was a constant presence and the interest level was high. We accomplished what we expected and much more. A new political reality has been created on the issue of clean smokestacks in this state. A week ago the perception was this is an issue that concerns only western North Carolinians. Now, it’s obvious that the concern is state-wide. Not only did the Express deliver its message to the people of eastern North Carolina; but the message was delivered strongly to those representatives who are stalling in the House. All of North Carolina wants clean smokestacks now.

Gov. Mike Easley has indicated he will sign HB 1078 if it reaches his desk. The bill has passed the Senate by a vote of 43-5. It is apparent that if the bill reaches the floor of the House it will pass. But, the legislation has been stalled and threatens to be tabled for this session in the House Public Utilities Committee. It is unacceptable that a bill so critically needed for the health and welfare of the people of our state, that has such broad based public support and such strong support within the halls of government, be set aside by a few legislators who are controlled by narrow special interests.

From the reaction we’ve experienced throughout the state on the Clean Smokestacks Express, I can say with confidence those legislators who stand in the way of the passage of this bill will be held politically accountable by their constituents and by the residents of all of North Carolina. It’s time for lawmakers in key positions to step forward and exert their leadership. There is no excuse for not passing this bill out of the Public Utilities Committee, out of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and out of the House of Representatives where it can be signed into law by the governor.

The Clean Smokestacks Express has been completed. The beehive of the grassroots has been activated as East has been tied to West. This is now a statewide movement. North Carolinians are unified and North Carolina wants Clean Smokestacks now!

(For information on the bill or the Canary Coalition, contact Avram Friedman, executive director of the Canary Coalition, 828.631.3447, avramfriedman@hotmail.com)

 

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