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New Report Finds Power Plants in North Carolina Produce the 10th Highest Mercury Emissions Nationwide	9/8/2005
As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on whether to overturn an EPA rule on power plant mercury emissions, a new North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG) report shows that power plants in the state of North Carolina produce the tenth highest amount of toxic mercury emissions in the nation.
EPA to Make Decision on the Future of North Carolina’s Air	9/13/2005
Tomorrow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a hearing in RTP to discuss air quality issues in North Carolina.
House Concurrence on H1308, "Extend Low-Sulfur Gasoline Requirements"	8/8/2002
Statement of Elizabeth Ouzts, NCPIRG Director
Annual Summer Smog Study Shows Persistent Public Health Threat In North Carolina	8/29/2002
Smog monitors across the state recorded more than 180 instances during which North Carolinians were exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution in 2001, according to the annual Danger In The Air study released by N.C. Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG).
New Report Shows Solution To NC’s Air Pollution Is Ready To Roll	8/27/2003
Manufacturers have the technology to roll out more low-polluting cars, trucks and buses, and consumers are ready to buy them, according to a new report released today in Raleigh.
Smog Season In Full Force: Advocates Urge Bill To Cut Code Red And Orange Days By Half	7/17/2001
North Carolinians have suffered through 16 code red and code orange days so far this summer, according to new Division of Air Quality data.
New Study Finds 400 Premature Deaths In North Carolina Each Year From Coal-Fired Power Plants Violating The Clean Air Act	7/10/2001
Today, NCPIRG (Public Interest Research Group) released a new study showing the health impacts on North Carolina residents caused by pollution from outdated coal-fired power plants—including those run by Duke Energy—that have been charged with violating the Clean Air Act.
Mercury Making North Carolina's Fish Unsafe To Eat	6/5/2003
Mercury contamination is at crisis levels at many of North Carolina's favorite fishing spots, according to a new report released today by NCPIRG, detailing the most recent data on mercury fish consumption advisories issued in 2002.
Outdoor Groups, Environmental Groups Call on Price, Miller To Oppose Bush Administration Mercury Pollution Plan	6/4/2004
Standing beside a giant inflated model of a fish in Raleigh today, the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG) and the NC Wildlife Federation called on Reps. Bob Etheridge, David Price and Brad Miller to oppose the Bush administration's highly controversial mercury plan.
Clean Cars Legislation Would Increase Hybrids Five-Fold, Cut Smog	6/27/2006
Raleigh--Pending “Clean Cars” legislation (H 2185) would increase production and sales of hybrids and other advanced vehicles by five-fold, and make cuts in smog-forming pollution equal to removing more than half a million cars yearly from the state’s roads, a new analysis shows. Clean air advocates are asking lawmakers to debate the legislation first in the House Environment Committee, where the bill has been referred. But time is short.
On Governor Easley's Signing S 1078, "Improve Air Quality/Electric Utilities" Into Law	6/20/2002
We're ecstatic about the governor's dramatic step to clear the air. Over time, we expect the "Clean Smokestacks" proposal to save lives, reduce high-ozone days, and clear our skies.
NCPIRG Launches Statewide Clear The Air Campaign	6/14/2001
NCPIRG, the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group, has launched a statewide grassroots campaign to help clear the state's air.
Big Health Gains From Clean Air Bill Moving Through NC House	6/11/2002
The health benefits of the North Carolina "Clean Smokestacks" bill include saving thousands of asthma attacks and hundreds of premature deaths in North Carolina alone, according to a new report released today by public health and environmental groups.
1.1 Million Children In North Carolina Breathing Pollution From Dirty Power Plants	5/14/2002
A new study released today by North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG), titled Children at Risk: How Air Pollution from Power Plants Threatens the Health of America's Children, finds that 1,166,947 children in North Carolina live in the shadows of the state's 14 coal-fired power plants.
New Report Finds 'Clear Skies' Bill Puts State's Children, Economy at Risk	4/6/2005
As the Bush administration renews its call for Congress to pass its stalled "Clear Skies" bill, a new report written by North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG) finds that a loophole in the fine print of the bill could exempt 58 percent of the state's coal-fired power plant units from regulation, allowing them to emit toxic mercury indefinitely.
New Report: Soot Pollution From North Carolina Power Plants Worst In Nation	4/4/2002
Most of North Carolina oldest and dirtiest power plants,are getting dirtier, not cleaner, according to a new report released today by the Clear the Air Campaign.
Supreme Court Rules 9-0 Against Duke Energy	4/2/2007
Washington, DC – In a case against Duke Energy, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 today that industrial smokestacks and power plants must meet today's cost-effective pollution control standards when facilities are refurbished.
Seafood Consumption Could Expose 1 In 4 Newborns To Elevated Mercury Levels	4/12/2001
Following government recommendations for fish consumption could expose more than 1 in 4 pregnant women, or 1 million women across the country, to mercury levels that could damage the health of their developing fetus, warned a new report released by NCPIRG (NC Public Interest Research Group) today.
Charlotte Ranks Seventh For Air Pollution From Cars And Trucks	3/9/2004
With the U.S. House of Representatives poised to consider a more than $300 billion transportation bill, Charlotte leads the nation in air pollution from cars and trucks, according to a report released today by NCPIRG.
North Carolina Leaders Act to Clean Up Power Plants Across the Country	3/18/2004
We applaud Attorney General Roy Cooper and Governor Mike Easley for taking action to reduce roughly half of the nation's health-threatening power plant emissions—the pollution that sends thousands to hospital emergency rooms and even triggers premature death.
National Academy of Sciences Rejects Automakers’ Push to Restrict the States	3/16/2006
Environment North Carolina today commended the National Research Council, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, for resisting pressure from special interests to erode the ability of North Carolina and other states to protect their citizens from air pollution and global warming. In a report released today, the NRC affirmed the vital role that states play in reducing pollution from cars, diesel trucks, and other moving sources.
New Report: Increased Air Pollution Exposure During Daily Commutes	2/28/2007
RALEIGH–Diesel exhaust from trucks, buses, construction equipment and other vehicles pose a major health risk to North Carolina commuters, according to a new report released today by Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Carolinas Clean Energy Coalition, American Lung Association of North Carolina and Environment North Carolina.
Toxic Air Pollution in 96 N.C. Counties Poses Cancer Risk to Residents	2/28/2002
The air in 96 North Carolina counties contains hazardous air pollutants that increase the risk of getting cancer, according to a new analysis of federal air pollution data by the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG).
New Study: Air Pollution Takes Toll on Children’s Health in NC	2/22/2006
Air pollution causes 50 infant deaths, 100,000 child asthma attacks, and 300,000 missed school days annually in North Carolina, according to estimates from a new report released today. The study, entitled “Air Pollution and Public Health in North Carolina,” was released today by Environment North Carolina, the new home of NCPIRG’s environmental work, along with the American Lung Association, Southern Environmental Law Center, and others.
North Carolina Worst In The Nation For Toxic Air Pollution	12/4/2003
Today, the NC Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG), the Clean Air Task Force, and National Environmental Trust released a new report, "Toxic Neighbors."
New Report Highlights the Importance of States’ Rights In Protecting Public Health	11/8/2005
A new report by North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG) shows that the right to adopt state-level air quality standards has been essential in bringing healthy air to North Carolina.
EPA Criticized For Continuing Efforts To Weaken Mercury Protections	11/17/2005
The EPA is seeking to weaken already inadequate mercury control requirements for new power plants, according to the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG).
Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Case against Duke Energy	11/1/2006
Washington, DC – On behalf of Environment North Carolina, NC Sierra Club, and Environmental Defense; the Southern Environmental Law Center argued before the Supreme Court today in a case against Duke Energy that could lead to the drastic clean up of power plant pollution across the Eastern United States.
North Carolina's Air Third Worst: State's Air Was Unhealthy To Breathe Nearly 240 Times In 2000	1/30/2001
North Carolina recorded nearly 240 exceedances of the federal and state health standard for smog in the year 2000, the third highest in the nation.
Power Plants That Dirty NC's Air Have Increased Pollution in Past Decade	1/26/2005
As a key U.S. Senate committee considers the White House's bill to delay and weaken clean air safeguards, a new Clear the Air report released today by the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG) and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) finds that while North Carolina is working hard to clean its air, pollution from power plants in surrounding states is on the rise.

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Clean Air News

For more information on clean air issues, contact:

State Director Elizabeth Ouzts