Stop Blocking Air Pollution Protections

We, the undersigned, hold NC’s legislators responsible for protecting the quality of air North Carolinians breathe.

There is no doubt that pollutants emitted by these large industries that continue to pressure politicians for exemptions are resulting in serious health problems and billions in healthcare costs. Residents are not only paying for industry pollution with their lives, but with their income taxes.

Kathleen Sullivan at SELC notes that coal fired plants, among the worst polluters, have “avoided federal regulation of their hazardous emissions for over two decades, and they continue to fight attempts at regulation....Many of these toxic pollutants,” she adds, “cause cancer, premature death, mutations and birth defects, respiratory illness, and heart attacks.”  Especially vulnerable are pregnant women, the very young and senior citizens.

Included among those that are polluting NC air are some of the worst toxins in existence, including “PCBs; dioxins; asbestos; heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, mercury, and others; formaldehyde; cyanide and dozens of known carcinogens.”

There is no excuse for what Sullivan calls  “irresponsible political attacks on clean air protections” in NC. We request that the state legislators revisit the protections adopted under Republican Governor James Martin and make them even more restrictive of toxic emissions. Most important, the legislature's attack on air pollution protection must end.

Thanks for your time.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/12/24/3746034/rules-for-toxic-air-to-change.html#storylink=cpy