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Canary News and Action
September 8, 2005
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-EPA Hearing on NC 126 Petition, September 14, at RTP Bike ride to hearing planned. - Hurricane Katrina and Global Warming from the Democracy Now! website - "Kilowatt Ours: A plan to Re-energize America" - NCPIRG Issues Report on Mercury From Power Plants
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EPA Hearing on NC 126 Petition, September 14 at RTP Bike ride to hearing planned.
The long awaited EPA hearing on NC Attorney General Roy Cooper's 126 petition will be held at the EPA headquarters in the Research Triangle Park on Wednesday, September 14. You can register to testify by calling Joanne Allman at EPA headquarters, 919-541-5616. Attorney General Cooper will be testifying at 10:30 am, so it's advisable to try to schedule your testimony earlier, before the TV cameras and newspaper reporters leave. For carpooling information call the Canary Coalition office 828-631-3447 or send email. The Sierra Club is organizing for a sizable group of people to be biking to the hearing from Durham-Bull Stadium to make a point and attract media attention to the issue. Contact the Canary Coaltion office if you're interested in participating in this fun and effective activity. Be sure to bring a photo-ID to gain entrance into the hearing room.
Background:
In January of 2004 Cooper, in compliance with his duties under section 10 of the NC Clean Smokestacks Act, filed a 126 petition with EPA against utility companies in 13 states upwind of North Carolina. Section 126 of the federal Clean Air Act provides for this process in the case of states that have areas labeled as "non-attainment" due to pollution that originates in other states.
But, EPA basically ignored Cooper's petition in violation of its duties under the Clean Air Act. EPA was supposed to act within 60 days of receiving the petition to determine a course of action. But, March 1 came and went with no EPA action other than to give itself a six month extension, using questionable authority to do so.
Six months later EPA still had no response, prompting Cooper to issue a warning that he would sue the federal agency for not fulfilling its obligations under the law. In January of 2005, EPA and Cooper reached a court approved settlement that required EPA to respond to the 126 petition no later than July of 2005 and to hold a hearing on the petition in September.
On July 31, EPA issued a statement that inadequately addressed the 126 petition, implying that its recent decision on the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) was all that would be needed to answer the problems raised by North Carolina's Attorney General.
But, CAIR does not address the issue in the same way a 126 petition does as outlined in the Clean Air Act. While section 126 requires that sources of interstate pollution be cleaned up within three years, CAIR outlines a schedule that will not be fulfilled until 2015. Also, the CAIR rules exempt utilities in the state of Georgia, most notably Southern Company, from compliance with the rules. Southern Company is one of the largest sources of North Carolina's air pollution.
The hearing of September 14 takes on great importance due to the evasive, irresponsible inaction of the EPA. It's important for people to come to this hearing and let the federal government know that we are watching this process and that we won't accept anything less than full compliance with the law. We have the right to breathe clean air and that right is being violated by polluting industries and by the EPA for not enforcing emission control regulations to their full extent.
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Our office has received numerous congratulations from people and organizations around the country for the success and impact of AirAid and the Relay for Clean Air. But, it's also important for us to self-evaluate after staging these huge events, so that they will be larger, improved and have an even greater impact next year. Constructive criticism and new ideas are always welcome. Please email your thoughts and attend monthly membership meetings when you can. Sincere thanks and congratulations to all those who participated and played supporting roles in this year's very successful events. |
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"Kilowatt Ours: A plan to Re-energize America" The Canary Coalition is co-sponsoring a viewing of this documentary in Asheville on October 2, most likely at the Diana Wortham theatre at Pack Place. More information will be made available shortly. “Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America” (Jeff Barrie -- 2005) traces the wires from our light switches to the power source, revealing how electricity is generated in the southeastern United States. This acclaimed documentary illustrates some of the negative consequences of traditional energy production, and touts the benefits of energy conservation and renewable power – providing an insightful look at how TVA’s Green Power Switch program is helping to improve the quality of life in the southeast. “Kilowatt Ours” provides practical ideas for consumers to lower their household energy bills, showcasing successful examples of businesses, schools and homes in the southeast that are saving hundreds -- even thousands of dollars annually on their energy bills. The “Kilowatt Ours” public education screening tour is part of the Southern Energy Conservation Initiative (SECI) – educating consumers about the benefits of energy conservation and renewable power generation. “Kilowatt Ours” and the SECI are non-profit projects of Trust for the Future. |
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If you have not already done so, please renew your annual membership with the CanaryCoalition and help keep the database updated with your most recent contact information. There is no annual membership fee, although all donations are gratefully accepted (and very much needed). All new and renewing members receive the interactive membership card, a business card-sized CD that works in your computer’s CDROM. The membership card is a powerful tool that aids its owner in being a clean-air activist. It contains a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation about air quality and the Canary Coalition that can be shown to friends, groups, classrooms, etc. Also on the membership card is a library of documents containing information on important air quality issues. There are also graphics for iron-on applications, printable membership forms and a link to the CC website. For donations of $25 or more tee-shirts are available upon request. Send contact information and donations to: Canary Coalition PO Box 653 Sylva, NC 28779
or you can donate online
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