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Page 2 The Blue Banner April 5, 200J Perspectives An Environmen tal Perspective “"S Clean Smokestacks Act to Help Decrease Pollution | Candice Carr Environmental Columnist Would you be willing to pay $4.09 a month for clean air? That is the estimated average, based on a $ 100 per month house hold bill (which seems high), that North Carolinian families would have to pay in order for the coal- burning power plants of the state to put emission-reducing technologies on their smokestacks. N.C.’s 14 coal-burning power plants are “grandfathered into,” or exempt from, the requirements of the clean Air Act because they were built before the act was passed. The emissions from these plants are creating photochemical smog that is endangering our health and economy. Sulfur dioxide emissions (S02) are reducing the visibility here in the mountains at an astounding rate. In the Southeast in general, vis ibility has declined by 75 percent from natural levels. That is espe cially a problem here in Western North Carolina where tourism is such an important economic fac tor. FYI For Your Information >« tJ of more immediate concern is the damage that pollutants like S02, carbon dioxide (C02) and nitro gen oxides (NOx) have on thehealth of our bodies and our ecosystems. NOx is the main ingredient nec essary to create ozone (03), which scars lung tissue and inhibits breath ing ability in healthy adults by 25 percent. It is estimated that Nox pollution from power plants triggers more than 200,000 asthma attacks across the state each year, and S02 pollu tion causes more than 1,800 pre mature deaths, ranking N.C. as the fourth worst state in the nation for power-plant related deaths. Airborne mercury falls into the state’s rivers and estuaries, thereby contaminating saltwater and fresh water fish populations. Mercury compounds bioaccumulate in the food chain, making king mackerel, bowfm and other fish unfit for human con sumption. Agriculture and forests are seri ously impacted by air pollution as it manifests in acid rain and nitrogen deposition, contributing to stunted growth and making vegetation more susceptible to pests and disease. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most air- polluted national park, rainfall is five to six times more acidic than normal rainfall, and significant de clines have been measured in popu lations of spruce, dogwood, fir, beech, and other tree species. In the East, airborne nitrogen con tributes to algal blooms and fish kills. Lakes in the Adirondack moun tains in New York are now dead due to acid rain, and they are still spending millions liming these lakes from airplanes to try to bring them back to life. Perhaps N.Y. should have regu lated air pollution more stringently. Dirty air is estimated to cost the state of N.C. over $3 billion annu ally in morbidity and mortality costs. N.C. farmers lose more than $175 million each year due to reduced crop yields, and the loss in eco nomic activity around the Smokies park is estimated to cost more than $200 million each year. Last, but not least, power plants emit C02, which is the main green house gas contributing to global climate change. Power plants are responsible for 82 percent of all S02 air pollution, 45 percent of NOx and 65 percent of mercury. Automobiles and other mobile sources emit 48 percent of the NOx. Technologies exist to reduce these emissions and make our lives healthier and more prosperous, but the power companies are not likely to install such innovations on their plants until the state government forces them to do so. In order to see a reversal of the current negative trends in air pollu tion, we need an immediate abate ment in pollution of at least 80 percent. Selective Catalytic Reduction can reduce Nox emissions by more than 80 percent from uncontrolled lev els. Flue Gas Desulfurization (scrub bers) are able to reduce S02 emis sions by more than 90 percent from uncontrolled levels. Another solu tion is renewable energy sources (nuclear power is not one). Last year, 11,000 North Carolin ians showed up or wrote letters in response to public hearings held around the state on this issue. Three regulatory plans were being proposed. All advocated NOx reduction, but only one was strong enough to ac tually do anything about the prob lem. While the power companies, Duke University and CP&L pro posed a 50 percent overall reduc tion, and the state suggested a 67 percent reduction, the Clean Air Coalition proposed an 80 percent reduction in NOx. Practically every person who showed up to those hearings or wrote letters were in total support of an 80 percent reduction. Yet, after the governor went be hind closed doors with the power companies, a compromise was reached. This is one issue where compro mise is completely ineffective. Stud ies by the nation’s best air quality scientists show that N.C.’s air will continue to worsen unless the emis sions are reduced by 80 percent. Politicians in Raleigh, N.C. know how strongly the public feels about air quality regulation. It’s a good thing this issue is fi nally being brought to the N.C. state legislature. Next week, representative Martin Nesbitt and Senator Steve Metcalf will introduce the North Carolina Clean Smokestacks Act, which would require an overall reduction of 82 percent in NOx, 80 to 90 percent in SOx and a minimum reduction of 90 percent in mercury release to the air. Heavily supported by the publi( this act has the potential to reallj benefit our lives. Your state senators and represen tatives need to know that you sup port the Clean Smokestacks Act as presented by the N.C. Clean Ai; Coalition. Time is of the essence, as it musi get passed before the “crossovei date” of April 26, after which ij cannot be reintroduced for rwc years. So, call or write to these senator and ask them to support the act. Senator Charles Carter 2111 Legislative Office Building Raleigh, NC 27601-2808 Senator Dan Robinson 2113 Legislative Office Building Raleigh, NC 27601-2808 ItafI Technologies exist to reduce thes emissions and make our live healthier and more prosperous, bu the power companies are not likel to install such innovations on the plants until the state governmen forces them to do so. i Apr 5 thru Apr 12 ' FYI is a service of the Student Activities and Student Affairs ' offices. , FYI is publi.shcd each Thursday. , Deadline to submit information is Friday at 2 pm, for the following . week's publication. Send basic information to K. Keane at HC 27 ■ orkkeanc@unca.edu. Sec FYI on Banner online at www.unca.cdu/banncr/fvi Academic Notices •Study Abroad Info Sessions: Tuesdays at 11am & Thursdays at 4pm, HC 37, sign up in HC 31 •Registration for Summer and Fall Semesters •thru 4/13 •Philosophy Undergrad Conference, 9am-5pm, KH •4/7 Athletics •Baseball vs. Gardner-Webb, 2pm, Greenwood Field ^4/8 •Baseball vs. Furman, 3pm, Greenwood Field ^4/11 •Baseball vs. High Point, 3pm, Greenwood Field ^4/13 Career Center/Jobs •E-jobs: Part time jobs listserve-contact mwhitson@unca.edu •JobTrak.com: Graduating Seniors register for full time jobs www.unca.edu/career •Business & Communication Employer Reception, 3-5pm, HCL ^4/5 •Student Activities Intern, 2001-2002 school year, 20 hrs/wk, applications avail, outside HC 27 *due 4/5 •UNCA Writing Center Tutor, 2001-2002 school year, $6.25/hr, must have "B" avg. in 2 Lang Courses, apps KH 01 7 •due 4/13 Concerts/Live Entertainment •Theater: "I Never Saw Another Butterfly," 10am & 12:30pm, LH Aud., Free ^4/5 •Comedian Bobby Lee, 8pm, HCL ^4/5 •University Singers and String Ensemble, 7pm, HCL ^4/6 •"Dances to Dine For," UNCA Dance Program, 8pm, Diana Wortham Theater, x6874 info *4/6 •Benefit Show, spon. by Amnesty Intl., 7:30pm, Asheville Music Zone, $5 ^4/8 •Poet Lee Ann Brown, reading, 7pm, HLH ^4/10 •UNCA Percussion Ensemble, 8pm, LH 018 ^4/12 •Outkast, Live in Concert, 8pm, Asheville Civic Center «4/21 •Caring Cans Food Drive, spon. by Marriott, DH •thru 4/6 •Student Art Reception and Awards Ceremony, 6:30pm, OH ^4/6 •Admissions Open House, LH *4/7 •Funds Available, Proposals Accepted for Cultural/Special Events for 2001-2002 School year, send to CPO#1200, x6669 info •due 4/9 •Putt-Putt Finals, spon. by Residence Life, 4:30pm, HCL ^4/9 •Ceramics Soup and Salad Bowl Sale, 11am-2pm, OCC ^4/13 •Bulldog Dash, Race for Dogs and Owners, 9am, Track ^4/14 •Ping-Pong/8-Ball Tourn., 7pm, Gameroom •thru 4/23 •Bulldog Express, free bus service around Asheville- Downtown, Wal-Mart, Mall, Beaucatcher Cinema (7:30pm- 12:30am Friday and Saturday) from UNCA and return •UNCA on TV, "Inside UNCA," video clips, 12pm & 7pm •weekdays •Foreign Language Tables in PDR (Dining Hall), French Wednesdays 11:30um-1 pm, Spanish Fridays 11:30am-1 pm. All Welcome •UNCA Babysitter Connection, www.unca.edu/childcare •Night Sky Viewings, 8pm, Quad •Mondays and Tuesdays •Register your bike with Public Safety/prevent theft, x6710 info Exhibits •Catherine Bukowski Exhibition, University Gallery •4/6-4/24 •Annual Juried Student Exhibition, University Gallery ^4/6-4/24 •George Raming Exhibition, Blowers Gallery •thru 4/28 Films •"Tax Day," by Laura Colella, discussion w/ filmmaker to follow, 7:30pm, LH Aud. ^4/5 •"Roots," spon. by AASA, 7pm, HCL ^4/10 •"A Bout de Souffle," French Film Fest, 7:30pm, KH 127 »4/11 •"Clerks," spon. by UP, 9pm, HCL »4/13 Lectures/Seminars/Workshops •"Is Depleted Uranium Hazardous to Health?" 7pm, RL ^4/5 •Teaching Diversity & Tolerance: Take it or Leave it?12:15pm, LF ^4/6 •"Nuclear Silence," discussion by UNCA students, 7:30pm, LF ^4/9 •Annual Crystal Ball Seminar-Financial Outlook, 6:15pm, OCC ^4/12 Outdoor Activities (Sign Up in HC) • Rock Climbing, $15 includes equipment, guide & transportation, 8am-5pm ^4/7 •River Leader Workshop, $15 •4/7-4/S •Mountain Biking, Pisgah Forest, $15 includes equipment, guide & transportation *4/8 Organizations/Special Programs •Women's Resource Center, open Monday thru Thursday: 1 lam-lpm, 3pm-6pm, 7pm-9pm, Mills Hall 232 • Bahai Diversity Forum, 8pm, HCL *4/9 •SOC Meeting, 6pm, HCL ‘4/11 •Take Back the Night, spon. by WAIL, 8pm, Quad ^4/13 Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month •Korean American Comedian Bobby Lee, 8pm, HCL ^4/5 •Origami Workshop, 4pm, HC Coffeehouse ^4/8 •Art of Language: Name Translation into Chinese/Japanese, Lunch and Dinner Times in the DH ^4/11 Tickets in HC •Biltmore House -$22 •Chimney Rock -$6 •Outkast -$20 (4/21) •Asheville Art Museum -$2 •United Artist Movie Theaters-$4 •Ice Skating at Civic Center -$2 •Smoke Hockey Tickets -$4 •Mountain Echoes Storyfest -$5 (4/27-4/29) Volunteer Opportunities • For service-learning opportunities Key Center for Service-Learning, 251-6400 or lweinberq@unca.edu •Help needed for national mental health screening on campus, x6868 info ^4/5
University of North Carolina at Asheville Student Newspaper
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April 5, 2001, edition 1
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