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Graham, NC |
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South Atlantic Galvanizing |
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South Atlantic Galvanizing operates with virtually no pollution controls. Their tanks of hot metal, acid and caustic chemicals are open to the atmosphere. The contaminants of concern include airborne zinc, lead, ammonia, acid and fine particles. The North Carolina Division of Air Quality regulates many industrial processes to control toxic air pollution, but has allowed South Atlantic Galvanizing to escape scrutiny for over a decade. |
 BREDL Report - Taking Action Against Hot-Dip Galvanizing Pollution. |
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On June 29, 2012, Superior Court Judge Howard E Manning ordered that the North Carolina Division of Air Quality (DAQ) keep documents confidential that were previously ruled to be public by that agency. The judge’s order was contrary to the arguments made by the NC Attorney General’s office and the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission, which supported DAQ. The judge ruled that, although emissions information was public information, it would be unfair to South Atlantic Galvanizing to release the documents, despite State and Federal law.
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BREDL Request for Documents Upheld
Nov. 18, 2011: Raleigh- Yesterday, the North Carolina Environmental
Management Commission issued a declaratory ruling agreeing with
the North Carolina Division of Air Quality’s (DAQ) decision
to release improperly withheld information on emissions produced
by South Atlantic Galvanizing’s (SAG) facility in Graham,
N.C. SAG had asked the Commission to issue a declaratory ruling
against DAQ’s decision. This re-examination of the issue was
prompted by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL)
requesting documents supporting the Winston-Salem Regional Office’s
2006 decision to keep emissions information confidential as SAG
requested. Therese Vick BREDL staff and author of the document
request said, “State and federal law preclude keeping
emissions information confidential. DAQ Director Sheila Holman
did the proper thing by agreeing to release the documents.
Director Holman acted in the public’s interest.”
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What you don't know may harm you - Read the Sept. 23, 2011 op-ed column by BREDL's Beverly Kerr that appeared in the Times News.
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Sept. 2011: Possible setback changes to the Alamance County polluting industries ordinance
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June 7, 2011: Public health, safety and environmental concerns
must be addressed regarding this ordinance. Citizens must be
allowed a voice in revisions that could allow even more polluting
industries into Alamance County. Our Alamance County children
have many needs, but more pollution is not one of them. - Beverly
Kerr, Community Organizer |
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Jan. 31, 2010: BREDL Factsheet: Pollution of the Air, Soil and Water by South Atlantic Galvanizing
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July 24, 2006: BREDL and our chapter Be Safe Not Sorry request NC DENR Division of Air Quality require South Atlantic Galvanizing in Graham, NC obtain an air pollution permit. BREDL letter to NC DENR
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