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News and Action January 9, 2006 |
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| Canary
Coalition Initiative: Support grows for Bill of Disapproval on PSD
Revisions in NC
State-Wide Public Transit System Initiative Unfolds NIRS and Canary Coalition Negotiate Possible Energy Crossroads Joint Campaign Tour |
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Support grows for Bill of Disapproval on PSD Revisions in NC
Support is growing within the North Carolina environmental community for an important Canary Coalition legislative initiative. Last April Canary Coalition members submitted more than eighty letters of objection to the Rules Review Commission to temporarily block implementation of a revised New Source Review (NSR) standard relating to Prevention of Significant Deterioration of air quality resulting from renovations in older power plants, factories and refineries. The Environmental Management Commission is attempting to implement the NSR revision, based on a similar revision on the federal level. States are permitted to have more stringent standards, but not less stringent than federal standards. So, when the EPA lowered federal NSR standards, it legally enabled North Carolina to also lower its standards. The action by Canary Coalition members last April has kept the higher standards intact in North Carolina. But, unless a Bill of Disapproval is passed in both Houses of the General Assembly in the 2006 legislative session that begins in May, the revised rule will come into effect. Joining the Canary Coalition, so far, in co-signing a letter to state legislators advising a Bill of Disapproval is the Western North Carolina Alliance, Clean Water for North Carolina and the Charlotte-based Carolinas Clean Air Coalition.
View the letter to state legislators.
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State-Wide Public Transit System Initiative Unfolds The Canary Coalition has been working with Civic Architect O'dell Thompson and the Smart Roads Alliance in preliminary planning to promote a state-wide light-rail system that would connect the entire North Carolina University System and all the communities in-between. The light-rail system would act as the "spine" of a broader public transportation system that would branch out to "nodes" of activity in local communities using buses or trolleys. |
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NIRS and Canary Coalition Negotiate Possible Energy Crossroads Joint Campaign Tour
The Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS) and the Canary Coalition are in the first stages of co-planning an extensive speaking tour throughout eight states in the southeast. The theme of the tour will focus on the use of energy conservation, efficiency and renewable resources, particularly large-scale wind energy, as an alternative to new coal and nuclear plants.
Major utility companies in the southeast have been applying for permits to site new nuclear and coal plants and it's becoming clear that we're approaching an historic energy crossroads that will determine the fate of our environmental future. At stake is the risk of global warming, further mercury accumulation, environmental and health devastation from acid rain, ozone and excess nitrogen deposition as well as the prospect of more nuclear waste and nuclear accidents. More as the planning develops for this important tour. |
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Membership Meeting, Thursday, January 26, in Sylva, NC The meeting will be at 7pm in the Canary Coalition's office at 530 W. Main, in Sylva. Agenda: - Announcements - Discussion of 2006 legislative strategy - Discussion of transit project - Discussion of Crossroads tour - Planning for 2006 Relay for Clean Air and AirAid - Fundraising strategy - other agenda items Directions: mapquest
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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 computer CD. The membership CD is a powerful tool that aids its owner in being a clean-air activist. It contains a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation about air quality issues and the Canary Coalition that can be shown to friends, groups, classrooms, etc. Also on the membership CD is a library of documents containing information about important air quality issues. There are also graphics for iron-on applications, printable membership forms and a link to the Canary Coalition website. For donations of $35 or more tee-shirts are available upon request. Send contact information and donations to: The Canary Coalition PO Box 653 Sylva, NC 28779
or you can donate online
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