N.C. laws not up to par in region
By: David Pearson
Dirty business will get more expensive in North Carolina if Rep. Lucy Allen, D-Franklin, has her way.
Allen co-sponsored a bill with Rep. Pryor Gibson, D-Anson that passed in the N.C. House of Representatives May 16 which will more than double the fines for companies who violate state air pollution laws.
The maximum fine will increase from $10,000 to $25,000, a penalty Allen said is levied against only 1 percent of violators.
She said the bill is meant to signal to companies that the state is serious about reducing air pollution.
"We have some repeat violators because it's cheaper to pay the fine than to be clean," Allen said. He emphasized the need to increase penalties so that no companies can afford to ignore regulations.
North Carolina last increased these penalties in 1991, Allen said, when the fine went from $5,000 to $10,000.
Allen is the chair of the Environment and Natural Resources committee in the N.C. House, and said she wanted this for the benefit of the environment and to maintain the state's pace in updating environmental legislation.
"It will let repeat violators know this is more than just the cost of business," she said.
Dana Yeganian, a spokeswoman for Progress Energy, said the company places a great deal of importance on following pollution laws.
"We are very serious about our environmental compliance," she said.
A letter from Yeganian's office said that Progress Energy does not have any issues with the bill as it is written, and that the company expects to spend between $1.1 billion and $1.4 billion to reduce its air emissions in the next six years.
"Progress Energy takes compliance with all environmental regulations requirements very seriously," the letter stated, adding that Progress will invest as needed to meet federal clean air laws.
The state Senate began discussion of the bill Monday, and was referred to the Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resource committee.
Virginia has fines for similar violations which are higher than those the Federal government imposes, Allen said. She added that she'd like for North Carolina to keep up with its neighbors in the Southeast.
"We certainly need to be taking care of air pollution in North Carolina."
