Trending...
- Gramercy Tech Launches StoryStream
- Slotozilla's Q3 2025: SBC Lisbon Outcomes and Partnership Expansion
- Siembra Brings 18 Latinx Artists Together in Brooklyn Exhibition
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
- MiBoxer Shines at 2025 Hong Kong International Lighting Fair, Intelligent Lighting Solutions Acclaimed by Global Clients
- Anern Launches the AN-SLZ2 Smart Integrated Solar Street Light
- "Nikko Kitchen," Tochigi Prefecture's New Gourmet Eatery, has Opened Near Tobu Nikko Station
- Michael Gi Delivers Inspiring New Gospel Releases That Lift Hearts and Honor Legacy
- Ashley Wineland To Release Scorching Single and Film Noir Cinematic Video for 'Love Letter'
"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
- Why Gourmet Steaks Are the Perfect Holiday Gift
- Make This Fall Your Most Stylish Yet with Nickel-Free Bestsellers from Nickel Smart
- Platinum Plumbing Launches First Veteran Hot Water Heater Giveaway to Honor Local Heroes
- Cut Costs & Boost Profits with the First Major Upgrade in 30 YEARS Replacing Rotary Lasers and Historic Clear Tube Altimeter Bubbles
- Inframark Expands Its Specialized Automation and Intelligence Capabilities, Adds Dmytryka Jacobs Engineers
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
- The global race for next-gen precious metals recovery is accelerating: $AABB is positioning itself with it's Revolutionary rGO Gold Recovery System
- NorthSky Celebrates One-Year Anniversary
- Free At Last Bail Bonds Gives Back Through Major Holiday Food Distribution Efforts Across Metro Atlanta
- Discover Elevated Living - Preview the Stunning New Townhome Collection
- TownePlace Suites Prescott Valley, AZ Opens
- SIX7 Introduces Olfactory Neurodesign™ — The First Fragrance System Engineered to Influence Emotion, Memory, and Desire at the Neural Level
- GetKuwa emerging as GCC's #1 trusted online supplement marketplace as shoppers across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar & Oman seek authenticity
- Uk Financial Ltd Provides Investors Of Maya Preferred & Mayacat Instructions For Upcoming First Ever Listing Of Both Erc-3643 "SEC-Ready" Tokens
- Kaufman Development and Daniel Kaufman Ventures Announce Strategic Expansion Into Data Centers and AI Infrastructure Across the United States
- Urban Angeethi in Cary, NC Unveils Its Famous Butter Chicken & Tikka Masala
- Event Raises $83,000 for the HBA DOC Foundation's Workforce Development Programs
- Seaside Art Gallery Announces: THE MODERN MASTERS EVENT 2025 – The Edge of Light, Opening Nov 29th
- Bent Danholm Lists Modern Lakefront Estate in Winter Garden's Twinwaters Community
- Operational Agility in High Demand: FOCUS Expands to Serve a Changing Insurance Market
- Bahamas Import Assistant Launches Same-Day Pet Permit Service Under BAHFSA's 2024 Expansion
- Liftoff Enterprises Launches Liftoff Spotlight,™ A Nationally Broadcast Platform Turning Conversations Into Revenue
- From November 24th to 27th, Fuqing Invites You to Join Us at BIG 5 to Jointly Build a New Future for Middle Eastern Architecture
- Dispelling Holiday Suicide Myth: CDC Data Shows Suicide Rates Lowest in December; International Survivors of Suicide Day Emphasizes Need for Action
- Lake Norman Philharmonic - Free Holiday Concert
- Stratum Nutrition's OVOLUX™ Named 2025 "Collagen Ingredient of the Year" by Beauty Innovation Awards