Expanding renewable energy, reducing our oil dependence through increased efficiency and public transit, restoring our waterways and parks, and funding local clean water infrastructure projects can all create good jobs, reduce pollution, and jump-start spending.
Clean energy
North Carolina has tremendous potential to produce its energy from homegrown farm fuels, wind and solar power, and to build more energy-efficient homes, schools, factories and workplaces. The federal economic recovery package can spur investments in clean energy sources that will create jobs and reduce pollution in North Carolina. Environment North Carolina:
- Supports raising the requirement for the amount of energy produced by solar photo-voltaic and solar thermal projects.
- Supports mandating that utilities ensure energy efficiency projects are additional and verifiable by a third-party administrator.
- Supports block grants and loans to local governments for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
- Supports workforce training in renewable energy and energy efficiency audits and technology.
- Supports directing federal recovery dollars to helping the state reduce energy use in state-funded buildings by 30 percent.
Global warming
When it comes to global warming, there’s a lot at stake for North Carolina. The science is clearer every day: To avoid the most dangerous effects of global warming, the United States must make deep cuts in pollution, and soon. Environment North Carolina:
- Supports directing federal economic recovery dollars to mass transit—in the Triangle and elsewhere—to reduce global warming pollution from automobiles.
- Supports allowing local governments to raise revenue to support regional public transit.
- Supports enacting the Clean Cars Program, which will require new cars and trucks to be more efficient and pollute less. The Clean Cars Program, which has already been adopted by 14 other states, will save consumers money at the gas pump and cut global warming pollution.
Jordan Lake
Scientists first identified pollution problems in Jordan Lake in 1997, causing state leaders to demand cleanup and protection of the reservoir. But since then, pollution problems have gotten worse, not better. Last year, the Environmental Management Commission adopted a plan to help restore and protect the lake, but it now faces legislative review. Environment North Carolina:
- Supports the current rules to restore Jordan Lake, which will limit polluted runoff from existing and future development and set tougher limits for nitrogen discharges from wastewater treatment facilities.
- Supports directing federal recovery money to helping local governments prevent stormwater runoff and upgrade wastewater treatment facilities.
Open Spaces
North Carolina's forests, farmlands and other critical open spaces are disappearing at the rate of 300 acres a day. In 2000, state leaders set a goal of preserving an additional one million acres of our natural areas by 2010. The deadline looms, but so does the state’s budget shortfall. Environment North Carolina:
- Supports full funding for the state’s land conservation program to help fulfill the million-acre goal and the goals of the Land for Tomorrow Coalition.
- Supports establishing a permanent, dedicated source of funding for the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and the Clean Water Trust Fund.
Healthy beaches
North Carolina’s beaches are the envy of the nation. That’s in part because our state has a history of limiting structures like jetties and seawalls on the coast, which protects the ecosystem and prevents unnatural erosion. Until last year, the state’s shores were also protected by a federal moratorium on offshore drilling. Environment North Carolina:
- Opposes efforts at the state and federal levels to introduce oil and gas drilling off North Carolina’s coasts.
- Opposes allowing hardened structures that would damage North Carolina’s beaches.
Environmental health
Industrial use of toxic chemicals is threatening our environment. Chemicals sprayed on laptops and mattresses are now found in orcas and peregrine falcons. Scientists are finding these same toxins in our bodies. Environment North Carolina:
- Supports a ban on toxic flame retardants, which can be replaced with safer alternatives.
Water efficiency
Last year, North Carolina escaped relatively unscathed from one of the most devastating droughts in history. But with more drought predicted for the future and with North Carolina expected to grow by close to three million people over the next 20 years, we cannot afford to continue wasting water. At the same time, we have no permit system to regulate water withdrawals and consumption. Environment North Carolina:
- Supports establishing a permit system for large water withdrawals.
- Supports creating a “budget” for water use, and other recommendations of the Water Allocation Study team.
- Supports directing federal recovery dollars toward water conservation and efficiency programs.
Safe drinking water
Nearly half of our state residents use underground drinking water, and thousands of leaking underground petroleum storage tanks and other sources have contaminated drinking water supplies. Environment North Carolina:
- Supports requiring that petroleum tank owners use private insurance to cover their own cleanup costs to prevent groundwater contamination.
- Opposes lowering cleanup levels for above- or below-ground toxic waste sites. Polluters responsible for leaks must clean them up to current public health standards.