Clean Air News

As the new home of NCPIRG's environmental work, Environment North Carolina can be contacted with any questions regarding this news release. 

CHAPEL HILL—Most of North Carolina's oldest and dirtiest power plants are getting dirtier, not cleaner, according to a new report released today by the Clear the Air Campaign. "Darkening Skies: Trends Toward Increasing Power Plant Emissions" comes just months before the North Carolina House of Representatives is set to make a key decision on the "Clean Smokestacks" bill (SB 1078) which would clean up coal-fired power plants.

"The power plants in North Carolina have become dramatically dirtier, emitting over 61,000 tons more of soot-forming sulfur dioxide in 2000 than in 1995," said Mark Edsell of North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG). "This pollution causes serious health problems, triggering asthma attacks, heart attacks, and even causing premature death of 1800 North Carolinians annually."

According to the new report, all of the state's plants emit more pollution today than just a few years ago, many increasing by thousands of tons per year.

By analyzing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions data of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide from 1995 and 2000, "Darkening Skies" finds that:

• 12 of North Carolina's 14 coal-fired power plants increased their emissions of sulfur dioxide, the pollution that forms "fine particle" soot and causes asthma attacks, heart disease and even death. New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last month shows that this pollution may also cause lung cancer. G.G. Allen power plant in Gaston County has the greatest increase in sulfur dioxide pollution in the state, 12,785 tons.

• North Carolina has 17 counties that are not meeting the 1997 federal health standard for fine particulate matter. These counties are home to 137,000 people with asthma, including 46,000 children with asthma.

"These findings reinforce the need to reduce pollution from the coal-fired utility plants. Addressing air quality is the single best step that can be taken to improve public health, reduce health care costs, safeguard our tourism industry and preserve the beauty of the North Carolina Mountains," said Brownie Newman of Western North Carolina Alliance.

The study also found that half the states plants increased emissions of smog forming nitrogen oxide pollution. Most were located in places that can least afford pollution increases - areas that are not meeting the 1997 national health standards for fine particles and ozone "smog." For example:

• 23 North Carolina counties are not meeting the 1997 ozone (smog) standard. Nitrogen oxides form smog and increased nitrogen oxide from power plants will make it even more difficult to meet the health standards.

"It has never been so clear that we need a serious plan to curb power plant pollution, to protect the health of North Carolina citizens," Edsell said. "Such a plan exists: the 'Clean Smokestacks' bill (SB 1078) in the House. We know what we need to do to clean up power plants, and we have the technology to do it. Now our elected leaders need to act."

Passing the "Clean Smokestacks" bill would reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 72% and sulfur dioxide emissions by 73% from 1998 levels.

"North Carolina has been breathing dirty, dangerous air for far too long. The best way to improve our air quality and our public health is to require our coal-fired power plants to clean up," Edsell added.