by Louis Zeller, Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League

Everyone agrees that clean air is vital to the health of our people and to the vitality of our communities.  There is no doubt that improvements in western North Carolina's air quality depends on pollution reductions from local, state, and regional sources.  Much less certain is whether the Hunt administration will require real reductions.  North Carolina has an opportunity to adopt a pollution reduction package which could become a model for the southeastern states.

On October 12 the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will vote on two air pollution rules: 1) to align North Carolina with EPA's regional ozone reduction plan, and 2) to close the loophole for the 14 coal-fired electric power plants in NC.

Approval of the first rule would maintain state cooperation with the EPA in regional NOx reductions; approval of the second  rule would provide assurance that significant NOx reductions from grandfathered power plants will really happen.  The fact that both plans come up for a vote at the same time is coincidental.  Both are needed.

State adoption of the EPA mandated rule is not enough.  For example, the EPA NOx rule contains an escape clause which says that the law reverts to the way it stood on July 1 if courts rule against the EPA.  Under this rule, ozone reductions and regional planning would come to a halt if an appeal by states and polluting industries is successful.  On the other hand, if the EMC adopts a permanent, separate North Carolina rule, the state NOx reduction program would continue.  Moreover, the North Carolina power plant rule includes NOx reduction deadlines which apply to coal-fired utilities three years earlier than EPA deadlines.  Further, a permanent NC rule would protect air quality from the uncertainties of interstate pollution trading provisions in the EPA plan.  Only the adoption of both rules ensures rapid relief from local and regional smog.

This summer much has happened to advance the cause of clean air.  The background of this debate is revealing.  In June the District of Columbia Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the US Environmental Protection Agency  in Michigan v. EPA.  The court rejected the attempt to block EPA's Nitrogen Oxide State Implementation Plan, or NOX-SIP call, and cleared the way for multi-state NOx planning.  The court provided the pressure for North Carolina to act on the EPA NOx rule.  North Carolina and other states have until October 28 to submit plans to get the NOx reductions specified by the EPA.

In July the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission held public hearings on ozone reduction requirements for coal-fired power plants.  Over 1,200 people attended these hearings.  The vast majority called for an 80% reduction in NOx, supporting a plan developed by the NC Clean Air Coalition.

The NC Clean Air Coalition plan meets and exceeds the NOX-SIP call reductions.  Our position is that more needs to be done to achieve safe ozone levels in the state.  Seventy-eight percent of the ozone monitors in North Carolina have recorded violations of health standards;  1,900 people were admitted to NC hospitals because of high ozone levels in 1997.

This year the environmental community provided ample scientific evidence for the necessity of an 80% NOx reduction.  Annual ozone patterns indicate complex interactions across the southeast depending on weather, season, and terrain.  Ozone does not only travel from west to east.  In August a state computer modeling study of NOx emissions revealed ozone plumes extending for tens and hundreds of miles from Duke and CP&L coal-fired power plants.  These 14 plants emit 44% of all the NOx pollution in the state, including auto emissions.

Despite all the scientific arguments, despite another record-breaking ozone season, and despite public outcry, the EMC may fail on October 12 to do the right thing. Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League demands action now on an NC rule requiring at least 80% NOx reduction. Coupled with the adoption of the EPA mandated rule, a stand-alone state rule will protect our environment and our health.  The Hunt administration can no longer give us delays and excuses.



Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League is a non-profit environmental education organization.  For more information, visit our website at www.bredl.org or call (336) 982-2691.
If you agree with this opinion, call the Governor.

posted online 10/04/2000

more info:

BREDL Sept. 12, 2000 letter to NC EMC regarding ozone reductions for coal-fired power plants

Ozone mapping - includes photo showing "plumes" that are downwind high ozone levels created by the nitrogen oxide emissions from NC coal-fired electric plants.

Take Action: Send a letter to Governor Hunt and North Carolina state policy makers in support of the People's Plan for Clean Air. DEADLINE WAS SEPT 1, 2000. Read our Sample Letter that was automatically emailed to Governor Hunt with copies sent to Secretary Holman, Chairman Moreau of EMC and Chairman Deerhake of EMC Air Committee. Thanks! (updated Sept 13, 2000)