Clean Air
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Citizens for Positive Growth members rally to prevent asphalt plant pollution in Salem, Virginia. (2009) |
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Asphalt plants are sources of air pollution that may emit significant levels of both particulate matter and gaseous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants are considered to be dangerous to human health. Some VOCs are also suspected carcinogens or cancer-causing agents. Pollutants include: Hydrogen sulfide, Benzene, Chromium, Formaldehyde, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Cadmium and Arsenic. However, no two asphalts are chemically alike. The chemical makeup of asphalt depends on the chemical content of the original crude petroleum from which it is made. Other manufacturing methods which alter the chemical makeup of asphalt include asphalt cement additives, higher operating temperatures, and the use of recycled asphalt paving cause increases in toxic emissions. |
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News | Reports, Fact Sheets, Flyers, & Resources | Comments/Letters | Individual Plants/ Companies | Polluting Industry Ordinances
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Sep. 22, 2021: The Burlington North draft permit made available for public comment on the NC DAQ website contained numerous errors and must be denied. These errors include duplicate numbering of conditions and an exclusion of a referenced condition. In addition, there are several issues with the air modeling which was completed to demonstrate compliance with criteria and hazardous air pollutant standards. Revised air modeling analysis and a revised draft permit must be posted. The Prospect Hill Quarry Distribution Center needs revised air modeling analysis including cumulative impacts from the nearby already permitted Carolina Sunrock facility on Wrenn Road. Until the cumulative impacts are considered, this permit must be denied. |
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May 04, 2020: Today, residents of Caswell County made a formal request to the Board of Commissioners for a comprehensive review of existing and proposed paving industry permits in the Prospect Hill and Anderson communities. The request echoed one made Thursday to the Division of Air Quality by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League. |
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Jan. 07, 2020: The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and Protect Our Fresh Air have joined Ashe County's legal challenge of an asphalt plant permit in Glendale Springs. On January 2, 2020, the citizen groups filed a friend-of-the-court brief, known as an amicus curiae, in the Supreme Court of North Carolina. The groups' legal arguments will be considered by the high court alongside the appeal filed by the Ashe County Board of Commissioners, which also calls for denial of the county polluting industries permit. |
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June 2019: BREDL chapter Sustainable Madison has aired 2 radio spots expressing the group's concerns regarding a proposed asphalt plant in Madison County.
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On January 31, 2019, we presented a letter of request to the Madison County Board of Health. At the meeting, the medical director made some very disconcerting comments: that asphalt plant pollution is less worrisome than second-hand cigarette smoke. Clearly, many people do not understand the gravity of the air pollution problem posed by asphalt manufacturing in mountain regions. We are planning to bring the issue up again at the County Commissioners meeting on February 12.
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July 25, 2018: The setting of overall tonnage limits as contemplated in the draft GSM is wholly inadequate. It should be abandoned. A practical, enforceable method would be a better approach for the permittees, the Department of Health and Environmental Control and the people of South Carolina.
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 December 2013: BREDL Report 13-346: Toxic air pollution levels based on the permit present an unacceptable level of risk to the residents living near the plant site. The permit should provide no confidence to county officials that public health and agricultural livelihood would be protected.
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Oct. 23, 2007: Today at a press conference in Spruce Pine, the
Mitchell County Citizens for Clean Air and the Blue Ridge
Environmental Defense League released an air pollution study of
the proposed Young & McQueen asphalt plant which shows that
air toxins would be deposited far from the plant site. The League’s
report shows dangerous levels offsite of formaldehyde, benzene
and arsenic. BREDL
Press Release | BREDL
Air Pollution Study of proposed asphalt plant | Asphalt Plants Page
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October 2007: Proposed Young & McQueen asphalt plant Factsheet - Young & McQueen are proposing an asphalt plant near Spruce Pine in Mitchell County, NC. |
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July 30, 2007: ASPHALT PLANTS - CONTAMINANTS OF CONCERN: An overview of 7 toxic substances released from asphalt processing facilities and their known effects on human health |
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Center for
Health, Environment & Justice BE SAFE
Campaign flyer on Asphalt Plant Pollution (BREDL contributed to this
flyer)
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Oct. 20, 2005: Analysis: Asphalt Plant versus Wood
Stove Pollution - Comparing Apples
and Hedgehogs (a household wood stove
emits but a tiny fraction of the
pollution emitted by an asphalt plant.)
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2001
Minority Report on Fugitive Emissions
from Asphalt Plants - This report, submitted to EPA
in 2001, was co-authored by BREDL and
other groups.
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Sept. 23, 2005: APAC:
POLLUTING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES |
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Oct. 20,
2003: Factsheet: Hydrogen
Sulfide - The Human Health Effect of a
Toxic Pollutant.
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Feb. 5,
2003: BREDL Slide Show presentation by
Dr. Rick Weisler: Childhood
Brain Cancers Near Asphalt Industry in
Salisbury, North Carolina
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March 8, 2002: The
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
Bethel-Cullasaja community health survey
report. The Bethel-Cullasaja community is
the site of an asphalt plant permitted to
produce 180 tons/hour and 100,000
tons/year of paving asphalt.
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March 8, 2002: The Blue
Ridge Environmental Defense released a
study showing the adverse impacts on
property values and quality of life
around an asphalt plant in Pineola, North
Carolina.
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Jan. 15, 2001 - Asphalt
Plant Campaign Report: This report
gives an update on BREDL's campaign to
reduce toxic pollution from asphalt
plants in western North Carolina. It
includes information about six
communities which oppose existing or
proposed asphalt plants. (including
asphalt plants in Pineola
, Boone
, Jefferson
, Cullasaja
, White
Oak Creek )
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Maymead Inc.
proposed asphalt plant in the
Laurel Springs community of
Alleghany County, NC. (Oct. 24, 2005)
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APAC Atlantic
proposed asphalt plant in the
Henrietta community of Rutherford
County, NC. (Aug. 11, 2005)
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APAC Tennessee,
Inc. plant in Murphy on Highway
64 West (Jan.
5, 2001)
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Smith & Sons
Paving plant in McDowell County
on Highway 221 North (Jan. 2, 2001)
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Tar Heel Paving
plant in Hendersonville on the
Asheville Highway near Balfour
School (Dec.
7, 2000)
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Maymeade Materials plant in
Pineola near the Linville River Flyer (Oct. 27, 1999)
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Maymeade Materials plant on the
banks of the New River Flyer (Nov. 12, 1998)
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Sept. 15,
1999 BREDL letter to EPA regarding asphalt plant
fugitive emissions.
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July 25, 2003: BREDL and WEAG cite
numerous flaws with DEQ’s approval
of Wythe County asphalt plant. Groups
request DEQ to stop relocation and
re-open permitting process. Read
Press Release | July 25, 2003: BREDL and WEAG letter to
Virginia DEQ Director Robert Burnley
requesting determination of permit
exemptions. | More
information including BREDL/DEQ
correspondence, background, pictures.
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May 23,
2003: BREDL
comments on the proposed air permit for
the Ferebee Asphalt Corp. asphalt plant
in Optimist Park in Charlotte.
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Aug. 20,
2002: BREDL comments before NC EMC on the proposed rule
changes under 15A NCAC 2D .0506, 2Q
.0306, 2D .1109, and 2Q .0526. (amendments
to: Particulate Emissions, Rules
for asphalt plants, Public participation
rules, Volatile Organic Compound Rules,
Permitting Rules, 112j Case-by-Case MACT
Rules and others) Final comment
deadline was September 3, 2002
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June 13, 2001 - The
Citizens Against the Asphalt Plant (CAAP)
files a lawsuit on Wednesday before an
administrative law judge seeking to force
more controls on Tarheel Paving Co.'s
asphalt plant in Henderson County, NC.
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BREDL
Comments on DRAFT air permit for
Tar Heel Paving Asphalt Plant,
Henderson, NC (March 12, 2001)
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BREDL
Comments on DRAFT air permit for
APAC Tennessee Asphalt Plant,
Murphy, NC (Jan. 22, 2001)
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BREDL
comments on DRAFT air permit for
Smith & Sons Paving Company,
McDowell County. (Feb. 8, 2001)
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BREDL
Comments at Public Hearing on air
permit for Maymead Asphalt Plant
in Boone, NC. (Feb. 19, 2001)
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Sept. 23,
2005: APAC:
POLLUTING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES |
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APAC Atlantic proposed
asphalt plant in the Henrietta community
of Rutherford County, NC. |
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Sept. 23, 2005: APAC:
POLLUTING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES
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Sept. 23, 2005: APAC:
POLLUTING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES
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Sept. 23, 2005: APAC:
POLLUTING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES
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Sept. 23, 2005: APAC:
POLLUTING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES
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Sept. 23, 2005: APAC:
POLLUTING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES
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APAC-Tennessee
Inc. proposed plant in Cherokee County,
NC. (updated 1/20/01)
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APAC Tennessee, Inc. plant in Murphy on Highway 64 West (Jan. 5, 2001) BREDL
Comments on DRAFT air permit for APAC
Tennessee Asphalt Plant, Murphy, NC (Jan.
22, 2001)
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Groups Join County in NC Supreme Court Challenge of Asphalt Plant
Oct. 1, 2015: The report concludes that the North Carolina Division of Air Quality's draft permit would not meet state standards for toxic air pollution and recommends that Ashe County take steps to ensure that its Polluting Industries Ordinance be strengthened in order to protect the health and safety of its people.
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Action Alert Update: March 9, 2000 - A
Public Hearing was held on March 9 at the
Elkin Elementary
School. Comment deadline was March 24, 2000.
Thanks for your calls and letters which
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BREDL submits comments on two Carolina Sunrock facilities proposed for Caswell County, NC Sep. 22, 2021: The Burlington North draft permit made available for public comment on the NC DAQ website contained numerous errors and must be denied. These errors include duplicate numbering of conditions and an exclusion of a referenced condition. In addition, there are several issues with the air modeling which was completed to demonstrate compliance with criteria and hazardous air pollutant standards. Revised air modeling analysis and a revised draft permit must be posted. The Prospect Hill Quarry Distribution Center needs revised air modeling analysis including cumulative impacts from the nearby already permitted Carolina Sunrock facility on Wrenn Road. Until the cumulative impacts are considered, this permit must be denied.
Residents Request Comprehensive Review of Three Asphalt Permits |
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Jan. 15, 2001 - Asphalt
Plant Campaign Report: This report
gives an update on BREDL's campaign to
reduce toxic pollution from asphalt
plants in western North Carolina. It
includes information about six
communities which oppose existing or
proposed asphalt plants. (including the
asphalt plant in White
Oak Creek )
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May 23,
2003: BREDL
comments on the proposed air permit for
the Ferebee Asphalt Corp. asphalt plant
in Optimist Park in Charlotte.
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Spring 2019: Saving the Jewel of the Blue Ridge Emily Sontag, Sustainable Madison
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June 30, 2015: Today BREDL and its local chapter CHASE recommended that officials in Dekalb County Georgia order a Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) study to assess impacts of a proposed asphalt plant in Lithonia. DRIs are done for projects likely to have regional effects beyond local government jurisdiction. Pollution from an asphalt plant would have a negative impact on the Atlanta area, which is already designated as being in non-attainment for national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for PM-2.5 and ozone.
BREDL Letter
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The Alleghany County, North Carolina Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on November 8, 2005 to endorse a plan to zone polluting industries and high impact land uses. The move was done at the request of local residents led by Alleghany Citizens for Environmental Safety (ACES) who are concerned about a proposed asphalt plant locating in Laurel Springs on N.C. 18. The ordinance effectively blocks a polluting industry from locating within 2000 feet of a school, day care, nursing home, medical facility, church or residential dwelling. The vice president of the asphalt company claims that the company’s efforts to build are ‘grandfathered in’ because the company applied for a state air pollution permit. However, no such right is granted by the mere submission of a permit application. View the ordinance that was passed at: http://alleghanycounty-nc.gov/ordinances/1-296.pdf Factsheet: Maymead Inc. proposed
asphalt plant in the Laurel Springs
community of Alleghany County, NC. (Oct. 24, 2005)
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BREDL and High Country Wataugans Against Toxins Close to Home July 7, 2015 letter to Watauga County Board of Commissioners regarding Amendments to the High Impact Land Use Ordinance.
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March 8, 2002: The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense released a study showing the adverse impacts on property values and quality of life around an asphalt plant in Pineola, North Carolina. Jan. 15, 2001 - Asphalt Plant Campaign Report: This report gives an update on BREDL's campaign to reduce toxic pollution from asphalt plants in western North Carolina. It includes information about six communities which oppose existing or proposed asphalt plants. (including the asphalt plant in Pineola ) Maymeade Materials plant
in Pineola near the Linville River Flyer (Oct.
27, 1999)
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Maymead Materials' asphalt plant east of Boone, NC - page includes various info. (updated 1/20/01) BREDL Comments at Public Hearing on air permit for Maymead Asphalt Plant in Boone, NC. (Feb. 19, 2001) Jan. 15, 2001 - Asphalt Plant Campaign Report: This report gives an update on BREDL's campaign to reduce toxic pollution from asphalt plants in western North Carolina. It includes information about six communities which oppose existing or proposed asphalt plants. (including the asphalt plant in Boone) Maymeade Materials plant
on the banks of the New River Flyer (Nov.
12, 1998)
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February 23, 2010: Testimony
of BREDL's Louis A. Zeller before the Onslow County Board of
Adjustment regarding Special Use Permit for asphalt plant
proposed by Morton Trucking, Inc.
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Rhodes Brothers Asphalt Plant - This page includes pictures, video clip, and other information (updated 1/20/01) March 8, 2002: The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League Bethel-Cullasaja community health survey report. The Bethel-Cullasaja community is the site of an asphalt plant permitted to produce 180 tons/hour and 100,000 tons/year of paving asphalt. Jan. 15, 2001 - Asphalt
Plant Campaign Report: This report
gives an update on BREDL's campaign to
reduce toxic pollution from asphalt
plants in western North Carolina. It
includes information about six
communities which oppose existing or
proposed asphalt plants. (including
Rhodes Brothers asphalt plant in Cullasaja)
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Smith & Sons Paving plant in McDowell County on Highway 221 North (Jan. 2, 2001) BREDL
comments on DRAFT air permit for Smith
& Sons Paving Company, McDowell
County. (Feb. 8, 2001)
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June 13, 2001 - The Citizens Against the Asphalt Plant (CAAP) files a lawsuit on Wednesday before an administrative law judge seeking to force more controls on Tarheel Paving Co.'s asphalt plant in Henderson County, NC. BREDL Comments on DRAFT air permit for Tar Heel Paving Asphalt Plant, Henderson, NC (March 12, 2001) Tar Heel Paving plant in
Hendersonville on the Asheville Highway
near Balfour School (Dec. 7, 2000)
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Jan. 15, 2001 - Asphalt
Plant Campaign Report: This report
gives an update on BREDL's campaign to
reduce toxic pollution from asphalt
plants in western North Carolina. It
includes information about six
communities which oppose existing or
proposed asphalt plants. (including the
asphalt plant in Jefferson)
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July 25, 2003: BREDL and
WEAG cite numerous flaws with DEQ’s
approval of Wythe County asphalt plant.
Groups request DEQ to stop relocation and
re-open permitting process. Read
Press Release | July 25, 2003: BREDL and WEAG letter to
Virginia DEQ Director Robert Burnley
requesting determination of permit
exemptions. | More
information including BREDL/DEQ
correspondence, background, pictures.
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Oct. 23, 2007: NEW STUDY REVEALS ASPHALT PLANT DANGERS - Today at a press conference in Spruce Pine, the Mitchell County Citizens for Clean Air and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League released an air pollution study of the proposed Young & McQueen asphalt plant which shows that air toxins would be deposited far from the plant site. The League’s report shows dangerous levels offsite of formaldehyde, benzene and arsenic. BREDL Press Release | BREDL Air Pollution Study of proposed asphalt plant October 2007: Proposed
Young & McQueen asphalt plant Factsheet - Young & McQueen are proposing an asphalt plant
near Spruce Pine in Mitchell County, NC.
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LOCAL ORDINANCES: What North Carolina Counties Can Do to Protect Residents from Polluting Industries -
North Carolina law grants authority to all counties the power to adopt ordinances under NC General Statute § 153A-121. This is also referred to as the counties’ police power. Legislation approved by the NC General Assembly alters but does not end this power.
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An
Overview of Polluting Industry
Ordinances: The Wilkes County Model
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The Alleghany County, North
Carolina Board of Commissioners voted
unanimously on November 8, 2005 to
endorse a plan to zone polluting
industries and high impact land uses. The
move was done at the request of local
residents led by Alleghany Citizens for
Environmental Safety (ACES) who are
concerned about a proposed asphalt plant
locating in Laurel Springs on N.C. 18.
The ordinance effectively blocks a
polluting industry from locating within
2000 feet of a school, day care, nursing
home, medical facility, church or
residential dwelling. The vice president
of the asphalt company claims that the
company’s efforts to build are
‘grandfathered in’ because the
company applied for a state air pollution
permit. However, no such right is granted
by the mere submission of a permit
application. View the ordinance that was
passed at: http://alleghanycounty-nc.gov/ordinances/1-296.pdf
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Courts uphold Ashe County Polluting Industries Development Ordinance June 22, 2001: Tri-County Paving, Inc.
v. Ashe County: Feb. 22, 2002: Tri-County Paving, Inc.
v. Ashe County: |