Trending...
- FDA-Cleared Zeta TMS Robotic System Moves Toward Deployment as FDA, DARPA and Commercial Catalysts Converge: NRx Pharmaceuticals (N A S D A Q: NRXP)
- Baird Medical Turns Global Expansion Into Tangible Growth: N A S D A Q: BDMD Posts 25% Revenue Surge as U.S. and International Markets Accelerate
- Allstream Energy Partners Nominated in Multiple Categories for Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators
CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of Clean Air Carolina and the North Carolina Coastal Federation, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a petition for rulemaking with the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission for the state to take action against harmful climate change by joining other states in a cooperative effort to reduce heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
"With climate change already harming North Carolina, and science telling us we are running out of time to reduce our heat-trapping gas emissions, now is the time to take action," said Gudrun Thompson, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. "Whether we act now or delay determines our future as well as the legacy we leave our children and grandchildren. This petition outlines a cost-effective solution that is proven to work and ready to go to protect North Carolina's economy, environment and people."
Action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is urgently needed as North Carolinians increasingly feel the impacts of climate change from flooding, slower storms that drop more rain, rising sea levels that are harming coastal areas, and warmer and more humid days and nights. Scientists warn of more dire consequences for North Carolina's economy, environment and people—including to people's health—if no action is taken or action is delayed.
More on ncarol.com
"A hotter climate causes more extreme weather and higher seas that drown our coast in major floods that occur all too routinely," said Todd Miller, executive director of the North Carolina Coastal Federation. "Recovery from these disasters cost taxpayers billions of dollars almost every year. The commission needs to act with urgency to exercise its responsibility to protect and restore our coast from climate turmoil."
The petition filed with the commission outlines a comprehensive approach to limit and reduce heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by participating in a regional emissions-trading program. The commission has 120 days to initiate rulemaking or deny the petition.
"Climate change is a health disaster for North Carolina, and one that will only get worse the longer we wait to act," said June Blotnick, executive director of Clean Air Carolina. "It's time we use proven, cost-effective strategies and coordinate with other states to efficiently reduce climate emissions across the eastern U.S., protecting the health of our communities and the environment."
Under the proposal filed with the commission, the state would establish a carbon dioxide emissions-trading program and participate in the existing Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) implemented by states from New England south through Virginia. In such a program, if a power plant emits carbon dioxide, it has to buy an allowance for each ton of carbon dioxide pollution it produces. Allowances can be bought and sold in a regional auction, which helps to keep costs down. The number of available allowances is reduced over time to reduce pollution.
More on ncarol.com
States already participating in RGGI saw carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector drop 47% over the last decade as well as fewer premature deaths, hospital visits, and lost work or school days, associated with asthma and other respiratory illnesses, strokes, and heart attacks. A similar approach was successfully used a few decades ago when acid rain plagued the United States, harming and killing fish, wildlife, and forests. That issue is now largely in the past thanks to a cap-and-trade program for nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, the primary causes of acid rain.
Participation in the regional program is a cost-effective and proven policy option to reduce carbon dioxide emissions consistent with Governor Cooper's Executive Order No. 80 and the Department of Environmental Quality's Clean Energy Plan, which sets a goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector by 70% by 2030, reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
For more than 30 years, the Southern Environmental Law Center has used the power of the law to champion the environment of the Southeast. With over 80 attorneys and nine offices across the region, SELC is widely recognized as the Southeast's foremost environmental organization and regional leader. SELC works on a full range of environmental issues to protect our natural resources and the health and well-being of all the people in our region. www.SouthernEnvironment.org
SOURCE Southern Environmental Law Center
Related Links
www.southernenvironment.org
"With climate change already harming North Carolina, and science telling us we are running out of time to reduce our heat-trapping gas emissions, now is the time to take action," said Gudrun Thompson, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. "Whether we act now or delay determines our future as well as the legacy we leave our children and grandchildren. This petition outlines a cost-effective solution that is proven to work and ready to go to protect North Carolina's economy, environment and people."
Action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is urgently needed as North Carolinians increasingly feel the impacts of climate change from flooding, slower storms that drop more rain, rising sea levels that are harming coastal areas, and warmer and more humid days and nights. Scientists warn of more dire consequences for North Carolina's economy, environment and people—including to people's health—if no action is taken or action is delayed.
More on ncarol.com
- Infinity Infusion Solutions Named Finalist for D Magazine's D CEO 2026 Excellence in Healthcare Awards
- There and Back comes to Hillsborough
- One Mile North of 8 Mile: KayeDinero Connects Detroit and Asheville on "Nine Mile"
- Gabby Press Earns High Praise From Feathered Quill About the Unregulated Dangers of Second Generation Corporate AI
- Canadian Tint Expo 2027: Why Every Window Tinter Should Compete in Niagara Falls on April 3rd & 4th
"A hotter climate causes more extreme weather and higher seas that drown our coast in major floods that occur all too routinely," said Todd Miller, executive director of the North Carolina Coastal Federation. "Recovery from these disasters cost taxpayers billions of dollars almost every year. The commission needs to act with urgency to exercise its responsibility to protect and restore our coast from climate turmoil."
The petition filed with the commission outlines a comprehensive approach to limit and reduce heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by participating in a regional emissions-trading program. The commission has 120 days to initiate rulemaking or deny the petition.
"Climate change is a health disaster for North Carolina, and one that will only get worse the longer we wait to act," said June Blotnick, executive director of Clean Air Carolina. "It's time we use proven, cost-effective strategies and coordinate with other states to efficiently reduce climate emissions across the eastern U.S., protecting the health of our communities and the environment."
Under the proposal filed with the commission, the state would establish a carbon dioxide emissions-trading program and participate in the existing Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) implemented by states from New England south through Virginia. In such a program, if a power plant emits carbon dioxide, it has to buy an allowance for each ton of carbon dioxide pollution it produces. Allowances can be bought and sold in a regional auction, which helps to keep costs down. The number of available allowances is reduced over time to reduce pollution.
More on ncarol.com
- Detroit Roots, Film Scores and Python Shape KayeDinero's Asheville Sound
- Building a Diversified Healthcare Platform as Exosome Science, Telehealth, Diagnostics & Strategic Acquisitions Converge: NexTel Medical (OTCID: MAJI)
- Most Indiana Plane Crashes Happen Away from the State's Major Airports
- L2 Aviation Welcomes Jason Marshall as Vice President of Sales and Business Development
- Mom Era, Still That Girl: Family Art Tees 25% Off
States already participating in RGGI saw carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector drop 47% over the last decade as well as fewer premature deaths, hospital visits, and lost work or school days, associated with asthma and other respiratory illnesses, strokes, and heart attacks. A similar approach was successfully used a few decades ago when acid rain plagued the United States, harming and killing fish, wildlife, and forests. That issue is now largely in the past thanks to a cap-and-trade program for nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, the primary causes of acid rain.
Participation in the regional program is a cost-effective and proven policy option to reduce carbon dioxide emissions consistent with Governor Cooper's Executive Order No. 80 and the Department of Environmental Quality's Clean Energy Plan, which sets a goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector by 70% by 2030, reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
For more than 30 years, the Southern Environmental Law Center has used the power of the law to champion the environment of the Southeast. With over 80 attorneys and nine offices across the region, SELC is widely recognized as the Southeast's foremost environmental organization and regional leader. SELC works on a full range of environmental issues to protect our natural resources and the health and well-being of all the people in our region. www.SouthernEnvironment.org
SOURCE Southern Environmental Law Center
Related Links
www.southernenvironment.org
0 Comments
Latest on ncarol.com
- Lawsuit Alleges American Deli Food Caused Severe Illness, Acute Kidney Failure, And Eight-day Hospitalization
- FBI/DoW plot uncovered to hurt Trump/Vance through encouraged "widespread" cybersecurity breaches and racketeering theft of $80m in USDA payments
- Bettingbladet releases H1 2026 report on the Swedish online gambling market
- Garage door installation or repair in Minnesota? Which makes more sense for your family?
- Super Rooter Expands to 190 Plumbing, Sewer, and Drain Service Locations Across the United States
- Google AI Says KayeDinero Isn't the Greatest Female Producer. She Asks: Who Decides?
- European Patent for ALS Program Expands the Story: HOPE Deploys Robotic TMS & FDA Commercialization Path Advances: NRx Pharmaceuticals: NAS DAQ: NRXP
- VICTURY Sports Announces Formation of Youth Sports League Built on the Official, Patented, and Award-Winning Keepy Uppy® Ball
- From Michael Jackson to Drake: The Artists Who Shaped KayeDinero's Sound
- L-Tron to Attend the 2026 NC, GA, TN, SC Joint Regional IAI Conference
- "Kulture Metrics" Isn't Just an Album Title: KayeDinero Connects Music, Markets and Code
- Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) Presents ReadyCommunities Partnership 2026 National Service Award to Local Businessman / US Air Force Veteran
- Cress Creeks Farm Opens Fall Corn Maze and Baby Lamb Hayride Experience in Ellijay, Georgia
- Allstream Energy Partners Nominated in Multiple Categories for Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators
- Pipeline Developer Isn't Just a Song: KayeDinero Builds Software, Markets and Music
- Who Is KayeDinero? The Asheville Artist Also Builds Software and Trading Systems
- Leaping Cat Creative Takes Shape Around the Problems Nobody Quite Owns
- White Coat Financial Partners Announces Launch of Next Generation Practice Optimization Software
- Kerri Lawless Introduces New Home-Selling Option for Local Homeowners
- As Boone Takes Art to the Streets, KayeDinero Asks What Makes Creativity Human