ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE PRAISES HOUSE VOTE ON SMOKESTACKS BILL

(12 June, 2002 — Raleigh) Environmental Defense today applauded members of the N.C. House for passage of the Clean Smokestacks Bill, legislation that will require utility companies to protect public health by reducing harmful pollution from the state’s 14 coal-fired power plants.

“The public health impacts caused by North Carolina’s dirty air have finally gotten the attention of state lawmakers, and the House vote illustrates the bipartisan support for cleaning up and protecting state air quality,” said Michael Shore, Southeast air quality manager for North Carolina Environmental Defense.  “The Clean Smokestacks Bill is a balanced, fair solution to North Carolina’s air pollution problem, which is bad and getting worse.  The House vote puts us on the right course for clean air.  Now it’s up to the Senate to act responsibly and give the bill its full vote of confidence.”

“Air pollution affects every North Carolina county, not just those in the mountains or those that are home to coal-fired power plants,” said Jane Preyer, director of N.C. Environmental Defense.  “North Carolina has been waiting for over a year for passage of the Clean Smokestacks Bill, and it’s time for the waiting game to end.  This is a landmark bill that raises the bar for air quality and will encourage similar actions throughout the Southeast to reduce air pollution and protect public health.  But we have to clean our own house first, and that’s what this bill will do.”

The bill will require emission cuts in year-round nitrogen oxides by 78% and sulfur dioxide by 73%.  Controlling these pollutants will also substantially reduce mercury emissions.  The reductions will occur over the next decade.