Aug. 17, 2010: League files new contention with
nuclear licensing board regarding inadequacy of
containment/coating inspection program for Vogtle Units 3 and 4.
Louis Zeller, Science Director for the Blue Ridge
Environmental Defense League, explained why the groups took this
action. "Southern Nuclear Company has overlooked a major
problem which we simply cannot allow to go unchallenged. The
fundamental requirement of the operator is to protect public
health and safety. Southern Nuclear Company is not doing its job.
League Files Unprecedented
Air Pollution Challenge at Plant Vogtle
Aug. 12, 2010: This week in a bold move, the Blue Ridge
Environmental Defense League filed a legal challenge to the
proposed air pollution permit at Plant Vogtle. The August 10th
filing was one of the first in the nation under the federal Clean
Air Act challenging excessive radionuclide emissions from nuclear
power. In a petition to the US Environmental Protection Agency,
the League called for rejection of the permit issued by the State
of Georgia because it failed to limit radioactive air pollution,
failed to protect public health and failed to prevent
environmental injustice.
June 18: Lou Zeller, representative for the
League, said, “Dominion’s switching of reactor
technology is like altering the foundation after the walls are
up.” He said that the switch this late in licensing the
plant would make it difficult to regulate. Zeller added, “The
Commission may lack the regulatory duck tape to piece it
together.” He drew a comparison of the US Nuclear Regulatory
Commission with the Interior Department's Minerals Management
Service, the agency which oversees offshore oil drilling and
which became too accommodating to its licensees.
League demands protection for NC drinking
water from sewage sludge
June 21, 2010: Today at a press conference in
Raleigh, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League called for a
moratorium on the spreading of sewage sludge in critical
watersheds. The League released two reports which detail sewage
sludge spreading in critical areas that supply drinking water to
downstream communities. These sites are located in Orange,
Alamance, Gaston, Caldwell, Catawba, and Wake counties. The
League maintains that these sludge sites pose an imminent hazard
to public health and the environment.
New report reveals sewage sludge fields
permitted in critical watersheds in 6 NC counties
Senator Ellie Kinnaird will host a press
conference in the press room at the NC General Assembly on
Monday, June 21 at 3 p.m. Senator Kinnaird will discuss the
findings of a new report to be released by the Blue Ridge
Environmental Defense League. The League’s report, “Sludge
Spreading in Critical Watersheds of North Carolina,”
discusses the spreading of sewage sludge on farmlands in these
critical watersheds. The report lists the locations of each field
and summarizes the risks to public health and the environment. At
the press conference, the League’s Sue Dayton will present a
series of maps showing the locations of each of the sludge
fields.
League to Lay Out the Case Against Plasma
Arc Incineration
On Monday at the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners
meeting the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League will release
a report on plasma arc incineration. Louis Zeller, the
League’s Science Director, will present the report and
recommend a moratorium on waste incineration, including plasma
arc.
Groups to hold press conference on Stericycle’s pollution
On Tuesday, May 25, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and the Haw River Assembly will hold a press conference to reveal flaws in the proposed permit for the Stericycle medical waste incinerator, located in Haw River, NC.
Read BREDL Press Advisory
Mecklenburg County passes
resolutions to request early implementation of new EPA rules by
Oct. 6, 2012.
April 22, 2010: The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners
have given county residents a fitting Earth Day gift. In an
effort to help protect Matthews-area residents from exposure to
toxic air emissions from the BMWNC medical waste incinerator,
located on the border of Matthews and Stallings, commissioners
unanimously approved two resolutions at their April 20 meeting,
requesting early implementation of the new 2014 EPA guidelines on
medical waste incinerator Title V permits in Mecklenburg County.
The county wants to shave two years off the four years allowed
under the new EPA rules for medical waste incinerators to come
into compliance with the new rules. Read Citizens for a Healthy
Environment Press Release View Mecklenburg County Resolutions
Groups Urge Feds to
Suspend Nuclear Licensing;
Westinghouse Reactor Defect Was Missed By Regulators
April 21, 2010: Today the League and other environmental groups
held a national press teleconference to reveal a fatal flaw in
America’s planned expansion of nuclear power. We released a
detailed engineering analysis of a problem with the Westinghouse
AP1000. This marks the launch of a new national initiative.
BMWNC medical waste incinerator is
operating on expired permit
League calls on MCAQ to re-issue permit under new, more
protective EPA rules
April 6, 2010: The Blue Ridge
Environmental Defense League has confirmed that the BMWNC medical
waste in incinerator in Matthews, NC, has been operating without
a valid permit since March of 2009. The information was submitted
to the Mecklenburg County Air Quality in comments concerning the
incinerator’s application for a permit renewal. By law, a
medical waste incinerator cannot operate without a valid Title V
air quality permit, and an application for renewal must be
submitted to the governing agency nine months prior to the
expiration date. Read BREDL Press Release
Citizens Applaud Court’s Rejection
Of Sampson County’s
Motion To Dismiss Fibrowatt Zoning Complaint
Feb. 17, 2010 (Clinton, NC) The members of Citizens for a Safe Environment, a
chapter of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, will
proceed with their lawsuit against Sampson County following a
Superior Court decision on Monday. In ruling against Sampson
County’s motion to dismiss the group’s complaint, the
court said that Citizens for a Safe Environment has sufficient
standing, has provided evidence of both unlawful “spot
zoning” and contract zoning, and that allegations of
capricious and arbitrary actions by the county are sufficient for
the case to move forward. Read BREDL Press Release
Matthews’ residents
at risk for exposure to high levels of toxic air pollutants
Residents will speak at press conference prior to public hearing
about impacts from incinerator
A press conference will take place on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 5:30
p.m. before a public hearing that has been scheduled for 6:30
p.m. the same evening concerning the Title V permit renewal for
the BMWNC medical waste incinerator, located in Matthews, NC.
Both the press conference and hearing will take place at the
Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), Levine Campus, 2800
Campus Ridge Rd., in the Auditorium, Rm. 2120. BREDL Press Advisory
BREDL will hold community informational meeting on BMWNC medical waste incinerator
The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) will hold a community informational meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 8, at the Matthews Public Library located at 230 Matthews Station St. in Matthews, NC.
Read Press Advisory
Rust Never Sleeps: Bellefonte Nukes Would Threaten Tennessee Valley
Jan. 11, 2010: Joint Petitioners file Supplemental Basis for
Previously Submitted Contention 6 - TVA has not and cannot meet
the NRC's Quality Assurance and Quality Control Requirements.
The accident in the
nuclear reactor's containment area and the history of
prior failures all point to further problems if the
Commission were to allow the completion of the virtually
moth-eaten 35-year old reactors following years of
salvage operations and lack of maintenance and oversight.
Jan. 9, 2010: CACHE (Citizens’ Alliance for a Clean, Healthy Economy) today released their response to Surry County Commissioners Chairman Craig Hunter’s rebuttal testimony to the North Carolina Utilities Commission opposing a request by Duke Power and Progress Energy to delay the poultry litter set-aside in General Statute 62-133-8 (f).
Read CACHE Press Release
BREDL comments to EPA regarding
Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units.
Aug. 23, 2010: [Excerpt] The impact of incinerators on human
health is obvious. We support continuous emissions monitoring and
a more transparent reporting system that better informs the
surrounding community. We find that very often communities and
public officials are unaware of the impacts from incinerators.
Readily available data and reports would be a valuable tool.
Continuous emissions monitoring is an essential step toward
making that a reality.
League Files Supplemental Contention for
Vogtle Units 3 and 4
Aug. 12, 2010: League files new contention with
nuclear licensing board regarding inadequacy of
containment/coating inspection program for Vogtle Units 3 and 4.
Demand a Better Way from TVA. Use BEST and MATRR
voucher to send message
As taxpayers and as rate-payers, we are paying
for the most expensive and dangerous form of energy on earth -
nuclear power. Please visit the BEST/MATRR
website to printout their 'check' voucher then send it in
with your electric bill payment.
Aug. 11, 2010: BREDL chapter Citizens for a Healthy Environment (CHE) in Mathews, NC reports that Union County has unanimously passed a resolution that all medical waste incinerators in the State of North Carolina (i.e., Stericycle, located in Graham and BMWNC, located in Matthews) be required to come into early compliance with the new EPA rules by Oct. 2012.
BREDL Continues its Decade-long Campaign
to Halt Plutonium Fuel
Aug. 5, 2010: Tennessee Valley Authority’s
Browns Ferry and Sequoyah nuclear power plants are identified in
the July 19th Department of Energy Notice of Intent as the
reactors designated for plutonium fuel use. The handling of
special strategic nuclear materials requires the highest safety
and security procedures. But the identified problems with fire
protection, over-worked plant employees and site security lapses
at these TVA power plants should eliminate them from further
consideration by the DOE for plutonium disposition.
Read BREDL Comments
to U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security
Administration
BREDL comments on EPA Proposed Rule
regarding definition of solid waste
Aug. 3, 2010: BREDL
Comments on EPA definition of solid waste.
Alamance County Commissioners’
Meeting regarding Stericycle
Commissioners' Meeting
Monday July 19
7:00 p.m.
County Office Building
124 W. Elm St.
Commissioners Meeting Room, 2nd Floor
BREDL comments to SC Department of Health
and Environmental Control on MRR Sandhills, LLC Landfill
Determination of Need and Consistency
June 21, 2010: The site for this landfill near the North
Carolina-South Carolina border with the primary access located in
North Carolina has raised concerns across state lines. Blue Ridge
Environmental Defense League chapters in Marlboro, Richmond and
Scotland Counties have repeatedly voiced their objections to this
project.
We support the Department’s conclusion that MRR has failed
to meet the first phase of the permitting process because the
landfill is not consistent with Marlboro County’s zoning
ordinace. However, we do not agree that MRR has met either the
Determination of Need requirement or that the landfill is
consistent with Marlboro County’s Solid Waste Management
Plan.
The Case Against Plasma Arc Waste
Incineration: The St. Lucie Geoplasma facility
June 2010: The Case Against Plasma Arc Waste Incineration: The St. Lucie
Geoplasma facility would be a Title V Major Source of air
pollution. The facility would emit high levels of hazardous air
pollutants including hydrochloric acid. Similar to most
incinerators, the St. Lucie Geoplasma facility will have a bypass
stack which will be used in case of upsets such as sudden
increases in synthetic gas production. Dioxins and furans, common
toxic byproducts of older mass-burn incinerators, are also
emitted by plasma acre gasification systems.
June 7, 2010: Scotland County of Tomorrow, a BREDL chapter, wins victory in Scotland County. The Scotland County Board of Commissioners has voted to end a controversial landfill expansion project.
CACHE wins major victory! Surry County Commissioners voted Monday
night to break off all negotiations with Fibrowatt and to
immediately recruit another company for the site near Elkin,
North Carolina. See the story below from the Mount Airy News.
The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League has campaigned since
2006 to stop Fibrowatt from locating in the
Wilkes-Alexander-Surry County area. The Citizens Alliance for a
Clean, Healthy Economy organized as a BREDL chapter in 2009 after
Fibrowatt decided to build a 40-50 mega-watt incinerator near
Elkin in Surry County.
Following the Commissioners’ unanimous vote, CACHE committed
to follow through on their promise to find new economic
opportunities for Surry County that will protect the community
and preserve the County’s air and water. Members also vowed
to assist communities in Sampson and Montgomery Counties where
Fibrowatt has also announced intentions to locate.
Stericycle medical waste
incinerator permit renewal
EXTENSION OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD!
The NC DENR Division of Air Quality has extended the public comment period to June 30, 2010.
Comment Deadline EXTENSION: June 30 Written comments of any length can be submitted until June 30,
sent via email to: Gautam.patnaik@ncdenr.gov
or by mail to: NC DENR/DAQ, 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC
27699-1641.
The Stericycle Press Conference, May 25, 2010, hosted by BREDL and the Haw River Assembly.
Read about the Press Conference and view photos.
Kieran and Kendra Bjork presented a NOTICE OF INFRINGEMENT to Stericycle President and CEO Mark Miller (alias Chris Carter, Mr. Puppethead).
Heather Bjork letter to Stericycle
Groups to hold press conference on Stericycle’s pollution
On Tuesday, May 25, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and the Haw River Assembly will hold a press conference to reveal flaws in the proposed permit for the Stericycle medical waste incinerator, located in Haw River, NC.
Read BREDL Press Advisory
BREDL comments on permit amendment for
Vogtle plant
April 6, 2010: BREDL and our chapter Shell Bluff Concerned
Citizens comment on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division’s operating permit
amendment for Georgia Power Company’s two additional
pressurized water reactors at Southern Nuclear Operating Company
Vogtle Electric Generating Plant. Read
BREDL Comments
North Anna April 2010 Update
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League v. the
Commonwealth of Virginia
Upcoming April 22 Court Date Read Update
April 1, 2010: BREDL Comments and Recommendations to Mecklenburg County Department Air Quality concerning renewal of BMWNC Title V Permit renewal for the BMWNC medical waste incinerator, located in Matthews, NC.
Morton Trucking, Inc. Asphalt Plant
Jacksonville, North Carolina
February 23, 2010: Testimony
of BREDL's Louis A. Zeller before the Onslow County Board of
Adjustment regarding Special Use Permit for asphalt plant
proposed by Morton Trucking, Inc.
Feb. 2010: Phase-out
PERC Now - brochure highlighting adverse effects from the dry
cleaning solvent Perchloroethylene, emphasis on Durham County, NC
impacts
BREDL files Brief regarding Dominion-Virgina Power's Appeal of North Anna Decision
Jan. 26, 2010:
BREDL's brief filed on Jan 19 regarding Dominion-Virginia Power's appeal in Circuirt Court. The Dominion-Virginia Appeal is of the February 2009 Virginia Circuit Court's decision that ruled state agencies violated federal law and revoked the water quality permit for the North Anna nuclear station.
Two-thirds of the energy generated at every nuclear power plant is not converted into usable electricity. Rather, it is wasted and discharged to the environment. This waste heat can be discharged directly to the air via cooling towers, or it can be discharged to a body of water. Heat discharged to waterways poses a special environmental threat and is subject to the Clean Water Act. For decades Virginia’s State Water Control Board has declined to limit thermal discharges from the North Anna nuclear power plant.
Joint Petitioners' Respond to TVA's Motion to Strike Supplemental Basis for Contention 6 regarding Bellefonte Nuclear facility
