BREDL Clean Air Campaign

NC Science Advisory Board on Toxic Air Pollutants
recommends increasing acceptable ambient levels (AALs)
of arsenic nine-fold

Jan. 25, 2012: Raleigh- Despite latest research calling arsenic “the number one environmental chemical of concern in the US and worldwide, today the North Carolina Science Advisory Board on Toxic Air Pollutants (SAB) voted to recommend the increase of “Acceptable Ambient Levels” of arsenic nine-fold. This, despite the SAB’s own listing of arsenic as the number one substance to be reviewed under their “Prevention Paradigm.”

Read BREDL Press Release

BREDL releases NC Air Toxics Report:
The North Carolina Legislature’s Assault on the Public

Excerpts from the report:

From The History of the North Carolina Air Toxics Program Section:
In the 1980’s North Carolina established regulations for the reduction of toxic air pollutants— chemicals which are irritants, acute or chronic toxicants, or carcinogens. The change was prompted by rising levels of public concern about pollution and health. The NC Environmental Management Commission was empowered by state law and executive order to control toxic air pollution.

From the Fast Forward to 2012: A is for Arsenic Section:
To see a snapshot of what is ahead for North Carolina’s air toxics standards, one has only to look at what has been occurring at the state level regarding this well-known poison and carcinogen; increasingly shown to have alarming endocrine disrupting effects.

Download the Report

BREDL petitions EPA regarding NC DENR issuance of
Title V permit for CPI-USA Roxboro Plant

Dec. 9, 2011: At its Roxboro, NC plant, CPI incinerates tired derived fuel (“TDF”), coal, adulterated and unadulterated wood in order to generate electricity that is then sold to Progress Energy of North Carolina. On October 19, 2011, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued a Title V permit for CPI-USA. BREDL has petitioned the U.S. EPA regarding the Title V permit.

BREDL hereby petitions the Administrator to object to the issuance of the Permit due to NC DENR Division of Air Quality’s failure to assure compliance with applicable requirements under the Clean Air Act. Specifically, DAQ fails to:
- Provide for meaningful public participation
- Appropriately address environmental justice issues
- Show compliance with North Carolina’s Title V program

View the BREDL Petition

NC Environmental Management Commission Rules in South Atlantic Galvanizing Case
BREDL Request for Documents Upheld

Nov. 18, 2011: Raleigh- Yesterday, the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission issued a declaratory ruling agreeing with the North Carolina Division of Air Quality’s (DAQ) decision to release improperly withheld information on emissions produced by South Atlantic Galvanizing’s (SAG) facility in Graham, N.C. SAG had asked the Commission to issue a declaratory ruling against DAQ’s decision. This re-examination of the issue was prompted by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) requesting documents supporting the Winston-Salem Regional Office’s 2006 decision to keep emissions information confidential as SAG requested. Therese Vick BREDL staff and author of the document request said, “State and federal law preclude keeping emissions information confidential. DAQ Director Sheila Holman did the proper thing by agreeing to release the documents. Director Holman acted in the public’s interest.”

Read BREDL Press Release

North Carolina Science Advisory Board Recommends
Increasing “Acceptable” Ambient Air Levels of Arsenic “Nine-fold”

Nov. 15, 2011: Raleigh- Today, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) submitted comments on the risk assessment North Carolina’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) conducted on arsenic, a toxic heavy metal and known human carcinogen. The League expressed its opposition to any increase in arsenic levels. The SAB is recommending that North Carolina’s current health-based limit be increased over nine-fold. BREDL community organizer Therese Vick pointed out that, “By the time a child is 10, they could inhale the same amount of arsenic as a 90-year old.”

View BREDL Press Release | Read BREDL's Comments

Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League Calls for
Financial Accounting of Proposed Rule’s Health Care Costs

Sept. 28, 2011: Raleigh- At a hearing on North Carolina’s proposed adoption of US EPA’s three-year deferral on controlling greenhouse gases emitted from biomass incinerators, Blue Ridge Environmental called for a full financial accounting of the rule’s impact on health care costs. EPA has not mandated that States adopt the deferral. In addition, BREDL requested a review of the rulemaking process pointing to attempts by the North Carolina Division of Air Quality to fast track the process and circumventing public process.

Read BREDL Press Release | Read BREDL Comments

Alamance County Polluting Industries Ordinance

What you don't know may harm you - Read the Sept. 23, 2011 op-ed column by BREDL's Beverly Kerr that appeared in the Times News.

Sept. 2011: Possible setback changes to the Alamance County polluting industries ordinance

League Calls For "Second Opinion" on Health Effects of Biomass Incineration

Sept. 6, 2011: Candor NC- Tonight at a meeting organized by Candor citizens concerned about a proposed biomass incinerator to be operated by NC-CHP 1 LLC, Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League released their white paper Second Opinion: The Medical Profession Diagnoses Biomass Incineration. The white paper compiles statements of concern from medical organizations and professionals across the country who oppose biomass incineration.

Read BREDL Press Release
Download - Second Opinion: The Medical Profession Diagnoses Biomass Incineration.

Alamance County, NC considers Heavy Industrial Development Ordinance

June 7, 2011: Public health, safety and environmental concerns must be addressed regarding this ordinance. Citizens must be allowed a voice in revisions that could allow even more polluting industries into Alamance County. Our Alamance County children have many needs, but more pollution is not one of them. - Beverly Kerr, Community Organizer

BREDL Report - The Case Against Compromising Alamance County’s Health, Safety and General Welfare
Janet's June 7 Letter to Alamance County Board of Commissioners

Medical Waste Incinerator Closed Down!
Campaign Victory Declared by Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
and our chapter Citizens for a Healthy Environment

May 2011: Public education, community determination and direct action defeat bureaucratic inertia, financial influence and political pressure. BMWNC is closed! A May 11, 2011 letter to Mecklenburg County's air permit chief from incinerator manager Lewis Renfro states the company has “ceased operations at the incineration facility in Matthews, NC and has begun the process of decommissioning the site.”

Groups Call for BMWNC Shut-down
New Pollution Study Identifies Harm

Nov. 9, 2010: Today at a press conference in Matthews, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and Citizens for a Healthy Environment released an air pollution study which concludes that the BMWNC medical waste incinerator is too dangerous to operate. The groups called for a shut-down of the incinerator.

BREDL Press Release | BMWNC Air Modeling Report